You’re Not Only Wanted, You’re Needed

Several years ago, I served on our church prayer team. Every Sunday I had the privilege of praying for and alongside women for physical and emotional healing or about marriage restoration, job loss, family strife, prodigal sons and daughters, barrenness, and plain discouragement.

One Sunday, an amazing thing happened. A woman came to the altar for prayer. She didn’t say much, just that she was feeling discouraged. As I began to pray for her, I sensed God nudging me to remind her that she was not only needed by the church, but wanted.

I’ve been startled by the same deep feeling of not being wanted that I sensed from this woman. We can sit in church week after week, wondering if our gifts are not only needed, but wanted.

Now, as I stood before this woman, who looked to be in her sixties, I stopped praying and looked her straight in the eye. I reminded her of this: God wasn’t through with her yet. He had big plans for her, and younger women needed her wisdom. She was not only needed but wanted. It was time for her to stop blending in and start standing out. I told her that no one could offer her unique gift of wisdom but her. I ended by saying, “You are needed here.” 

I can still feel her tears against my cheek as she hugged and thanked me. God had spoken into the deepest part of her desires.

I feel God saying the same thing to you today: You are needed.

At that moment I realized women, including me, need to be reminded that God made each of us unique. We’re original. One of a kind. We are not replaceable. Our gifts have a place at the table, regardless of our age. There is something utterly beautiful and simple about older women pouring into younger women (see Titus 2). Our best days are ahead of us because God goes before us. Most importantly, sometimes it takes our stepping out and believing God is with us.

Are you feeling discouraged? Restless? Unwanted? Feeling as if your gifts aren’t needed or wanted? Here’s Paul’s encouragement, written to you: “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:6–7 NIV).

How is God calling you? Have you been holding back because you feel unwanted? Don’t. Your gift is needed. Use it.

Where do I start? Am I too old? But how? When? Questions are part of the faith journey and evidence God is stirring something new in you. Don’t be discouraged by them. Lean into God and listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. You may have been waiting for years for someone to permit you to use your gifts. Wait no longer. Give yourself permission to try something new.

Over the next several months, I saw this woman come alive as she stepped out in faith. She began mentoring and opening her home to single mothers. She trusted God and allowed him to use her right where she was, and something beautiful began to happen. She experienced ongoing joy, and a newfound creativity to help others bubbled inside her.

Just like the woman at the altar, your gifts are wanted in the kingdom. This is what I’m finding, every day, every hour: someone is waiting for you to step out in faith and say yes. Can you imagine what a beautiful, holy act it will be to use your gifts to make an impact in someone else’s life? Do you know the sweetness of working hard and seeing the Holy Spirit bless the work?

Be encouraged. You bring something to the table that no one else can. Maybe it’s the way you organize or bring beauty to a space. Maybe you love to teach and educate others. Or maybe you have the gift of hospitality and enjoy providing meals for others. Or perhaps you have a dream bared deep within your heart no one knows about, and you’ve been waiting for permission to explore it. Here’s permission if you’re still hesitating to give it to yourself: do it. If you see a need, it may be the Holy Spirit calling you to answer that need with your giftings.

Take the first step and know God is faithful. He will not abandon the work of his hands, and you can rest in this promise: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6 NIV).

No matter whether we are young or old, our best days are ahead because we’re not only wanted, but needed.

Lea Turner is a wife and mother of five, three who grew in her belly and two in her heart through adoption. She is on a journey of resting fully in the love of the Father by letting go of striving and walking fully in her identity. She has a passion to inspire others to work from a place of rest rather then strive from a place of anxiety. Lea blogs at LeaTurner.com.

Photograph © Prince Akachi, used with permission