For All We Need

As i was listening to the Within Temptation Song “All i Need” it struck me how this was something that i’ve seen happening too many times in my life. To me, as well as to other people.

And it struck me how this song describes a couple of things in our society. A couple of things that i think are worth thinking and writing about. Not because i intend to point fingers, at anyone. But because i feel writing gives me the chance to start an honest conversation. With myself, in the first place, and maybe for you and with you too? i hope so.

What is the song “All i Need” about?

Well, as i listen to it, i hear Someone say over and over again that they are stuck. They are in a situation and they need help. They opened up to another person, who seemed to have opened a door and invited the Someone to show a bit more of themselves. But when Someone does just that, opening up a bit and show some of the things that are going on in their lives, the other person seems to be on a crossroad. And the song is about the Someone having to plea for the other person to not reject them, for all (s)he need.

As someone who has been struggling through life, i relate to this song. i relate to the “dying to catch my breath” phrase, as well as the frustration of the “Oh, why don’t i ever learn” question. As well as the “i’ve lost all my trust, though i’ve surely tried to turn it around”..

Do you relate, too? Maybe not in the same way as i do, but in your own situation? Is there something you have tried to change, so badly, and still you seem to get stuck, beating yourself up over it “Oh, why don’t i ever learn?”

As i listened to this song i relate – all my agony fades away (it may not disappear, but it surely fades and takes a seat somewhere in the background :p) when..? When my Heavenly Father, holds me in His embrace. And you know what, sometimes He does that through people. Through a stranger passing by and greeting me, through a surprise in my mailbox, through someone posting a picture or quote on Facebook, through someone reminding me of a great song, through a teaching, through a random smile. Lately i found myself surprised that even in the midst of my depression God still finds ways to let me know i am blessed. i may not always see it or feel it, but He surely reminds me and helps me realize it. Especially in the midst of my darkest days.

Okay, back to the song. There is no One like God for me. He is the One Who can hold me (even at times when i give a struggle and am too restless to embrace His embrace). He holds me and keeps holding me, until i finally am too tired to struggle and allow myself to just be held.

There is no One like God, but as i said, He longs for us people to be there for each other too. He meant for us to be looking after each other. God does not tear me, or anyone else down for all i (we) need. He gave His One and Only Son, His Most Precious Gift, for me - for us, because He is all we need. He is the One Who makes our heart a better place. He gives us something we can believe. He won’t ever tear us down. He opened the door, He IS the Way, the Truth and the Life. And He won’t ever close the door, barricade the way or lie about the truth.

Many times in my life i have been in need for help. And i learned that for us human beings it isn’t easy to help another person. Even professionals have turned me down for something i needed: Help. Being torn down for something i need - it  happened to me, and i’ve seen it happen to my friends and family (with all kinds of questions: from mental health issues to physical conditions, to financial problems or relational difficulties). And when i take a look around in the world today, i see big cries, silent cries, loud screams or people staying in bed all day questioning what for difference it would make to cry out for help. And i realize i am blessed to know that i know that i know that there is a God i can turn to 24/7. Even if it’s the only thing i know – knowing that He loves me is more than enough. But i know that not everyone knows this to be true. And even when you do, it does not mean that the only One you are allowed to ask for help, is the Lord, our God. He actually wants us to fellowship with each other and love one another. And one of the ways He wants us to do that, is to take care of one another.

 To be able to be cared for it’s necessary to make known that there is a need, a need for help.

This is hard. Asking for help isn’t easy, and when you do, it is not promised that you will get any help. Let alone the help you need.

What makes it so difficult for us to get out there and ask for help?

And what makes it so hard to get help? To give help?

i’ve seen that fear plays a big part in all of this.

The fear of bothering someone, the fear of being laughed at, the fear of ... That’s for the asking-for-help-part, but i guess there is loads of fear on the giving-help-part as well.

The fear of not doing enough, the fear of coming short, the fear of being laughed at, the fear of giving someone the wrong impression, …

Sometimes us people back down when we know someone is in need, not because we don’t want to help, but because we realize the real problem, the real issue is so much bigger than us. Which is true. We can’t “fix” someone. But don’t mistake someone’s asking for help for them asking you to “fix” them. Most of the time a kind word, a gentle hug, a caring smile – those simple gestures don’t cost you a thing, but can change a person’s day completely around!

Is there someone you think of when you read the following

part of the song "All i need" by Within Temptation?:

Don't tear me down for all i need
Make my heart a better place

Give me something i can believe
Don't tear it down, what's left of me
Make my heart a better place