A daily ritual in our home is that Dad makes breakfast. Occasionally, number-three son (yes, I grew up watching Charlie Chan) asks, “Dad, can I help you?”

I do not “need” his help. In fact, it takes longer and can be more of a mess with five-year-old fingers assisting in the pancake-making process. However, to give my son a tablespoon of self-worth along with a cup of confidence, I answer, “Yes, I need your help.”

“Go to the village … you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them” (Matthew 21:2,3). Jesus did not need the disciples or need a donkey. He’s God. He could have ridden into town on Seabiscuit. But like the breakfast analogy above, he wanted to give his disciples a cup of confidence that he was here to fulfill all prophecy. What’s awesome to see is that the disciples obeyed Jesus’ command. 

Jesus asks us to do the same with his commands. At times we’ve made more than a mess in the kitchen of our lives: “God I need this (insert earthly treasure that will fade here) to keep me happy.” Sometimes God allows a mess to happen, to show us we need him. 

We have nothing if we don’t have God. But with him we have more than we need. Grab the syrup or applesauce and chew on that thought!