3 Basic Human Needs

    After food and water, there are three basic humans needs which are referenced in scripture. Meaning & purpose is referenced in Ecclesiastes 3:22, "So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot," To love and be loved is in 1 Corinthians 13:13, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love," and security & hope as referenced in Hebrews 6:19, "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."

The Greatest of These is LOVE

    Our need for meaning and purpose, to love and be loved; and for security and eternal hope are fulfilled by the God who created us. No person, place, or thing can truly fulfill the needs that beckon in the depths of our human soul. People, no matter how hard they try, let us down. Places can not penetrate the depths of our hearts or souls and things lose their value quickly. But "God gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade (1 Peter 1:3-4)."

    There are books written on finding meaning and discovering your purpose in life. Some are biblical, some are not. Feeding on God's word daily is the best way to ensure that no matter what you are doing you are staying on the path He has prepared for you. Here is some food for thought:

Proverbs 20:5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.

Exodus 9:16 But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

Romans 9:21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?

Galatians 4:18 It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you.

To love and be loved is something that humans search for all their lives. Those that find it realize that loving others is the beginning of being able to be loved. Without being able to love another, it is impossible to truly ever "feel loved." Knowing God's love for us is the beginning of being able to love others without unrealistic expectations on the returns of that love. 

Mark 10:21 Jesus looked at him and loved him.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Ephesians 5:1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children

1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.

Security for today; hope for eternity.

Psalm 25:3 No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.

Psalm 33:20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

1 Timothy 4:10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.