Everything I Need

By Pastor Alexander L. Redd 

"And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires."  (2 Peter 1:4).

Just like a beautiful piece of music where every note is important, the qualities we find in Christ Jesus bring us a sense of wholeness. These qualities include trust, hope, joy, peace, faith, confidence, strength, salvation, identity, purpose, and future.

Each statement about these qualities in Jesus builds on the last, creating a strong foundation of faith. It starts with trust—the base of our relationship with Christ—and leads to our future, covering every need along the way. When we trust in Jesus, hope follows. Where there is hope, joy arises. Joy brings peace, which strengthens our faith. Each of these virtues carries a truth that resonates throughout our lives, making us aware that Jesus is not just a part of our way forward in life—He is the way itself.

Last summer, I met a young artist who had lost her love for painting. After spending years comparing herself to others and chasing success, she felt empty and lost. One day, while cleaning her studio, she came across an old journal where she had written, "My purpose is in Jesus." This simple message sparked a big change in her life.

She started painting not for recognition or approval, but as a way to express her worship. Her identity was no longer tied to art shows or social media likes; it was rooted in Christ. The peace she found showed in her artwork—her paintings became deeper and more genuine, touching people in ways her earlier works hadn’t.

"When I stopped trying to be everything and let Jesus be my everything," she said, "I rediscovered my purpose, and my joy, confidence, and strength came back naturally."

This isn’t just a list of words; it’s a guide to living fully. In Jesus, we find not just one part of life fulfilled, but every part grounded in a divine purpose. Our confidence isn’t based on changing situations but on the solid foundation of His unchanging nature.

When we truly understand that our identity is in Jesus, we stop trying to build it on worldly successes or the opinions of others. When we realize our purpose is in Him, we can stop the exhausting search for meaning in temporary things. And when we trust that our future is in His hands, we can let go of worries about tomorrow.