French philosopher Simone Weil said, “All sins are attempts to fill voids.” I’ve been giving that some thought and I suppose it’s true. Pride would be void of self worth, and deceit or dishonesty would indicate a void of a perceived need, whether it’s material or emotional. Lust would be a replacement for love and acceptance.

So often our perceived needs are lies we believe that are really just a substitute for God’s love and recognition. We lack the comfort found in Psalm 23 when “He makes us lie down in green pastures,” the place where we can find comfort and contentment.

Often we run too fast to rest “beside the still waters” of God’s presence where we can realize the basis of our worth, commit our needs to the Lord, and find the unconditional love and acceptance we hunger for.