Hierarchy of need

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God has made us all with a tailor-made set of circumstances which shape the course of our lives. We find ourselves on this hierarchy of need in different places. Some people hover around physiological needs for their whole lives - this is the situation of many in South Sudan. And I find myself at the top level, having been provided for on the lower levels, and sensing a real and tangible need 'to become the most that one can be'. 

Is there a level which is the 'right' level? Should we only advance so far, and then find we have enough?

It doesn't work like that. Each level of need is legitimate and felt. You do not have a choice where you are and what you find you are striving for next. God does not lament where we are - He has made us with needs, so that He can meet them. He has opportunities for us at each level, and each level bears challenges.

I work with some lovely ladies who I perceive to be hovering around 'safety needs'. I sense no struggle with self-actualization and the big 'why am I here' questions. But there are real concerns around the health of family members, day-to-day provision, and security. These women are admirable - working hard for years in the same jobs in order to provide for their families, so that their children may be able to attend school and maybe even University, and create a good life for themselves. The challenges are real: ill health often leads to death, a lack of money can impact on secure sources of food and accommodation. The opportunities to trust God are manifest day in, day out as the women thank God for life, and speak the familiar words 'we don't take it for granted'. And I have been blown away at how much they love their work - a few of them have said to me that you have to love your job in order to do it well, and they really do.

Jealous! Part of me wants to climb down the hierarchy of need and join them! But that is not where I am. I worry about using this time to work hard and work well, and to feel the satisfaction of a job well done. Work is a gift: to use our time and talents, to extend us and deploy us for developing our world and providing for our needs. And when it is well-fitting, it is wonderful. 

It has been helpful to revisit this concept, and to recognise that God is at every level. He cares for us wherever we find ourselves, and He has tangible help to give us whatever our needs are. We can feel foolish for our needs compared to those of others which seem (and maybe they are) far more integral and important. But God does not mind what our need is - He just wants to be the One who we come to and ask for  help. 

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