While driving to my office today, it struck me how often people get upset with God because they don’t receive what they pray for.
“God is supposed to be good,” they protest. “Why didn’t God give me what I asked for?”
I remembered what James in the Bible wrote, “You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss.” I interpret “to ask amiss” as asking for the wrong thing, or to request something that will not bring the right kind of benefit, at least not yet.
Two to three years after graduating from college and working on the family farm, I asked God to get me off the ranch into a different job. My request was not granted. I remained in place, and continued to fret, but also to grow spiritually. In later years, I realized my primary need at the time was not to get off the farm, but to learn larger lessons in life, for example to have more courage and confidence to stand up for what I knew was right. When I finally gained the confidence, and trust in God I needed, in this case, to leave the family business, I was able to exit with good effect. God was not going to let me leave the ranch unprepared for the next phase in my life, which was the Christian Science practice.
I’ve learned from similar experiences that the good we think we deserve may not be the good we most need. It pays to trust God’s plan.
God is a wise giver. The divine Provider gives what is in our best interest to receive at any given moment.
A trap many seekers fall into is identifying their good in a material way. For instance, in thinking they need a house, more money, a spouse, or a better skin condition. From surface glance, there is nothing wrong with having these things. But they are not the substance of good.
Good is God. God is Spirit. True goodness is spiritual.
It’s not a house that gives us home. It’s not money that makes us wealthy. It’s not another person that makes us complete. It’s not any condition on the body that makes us healthy. Divine Love provides the real substance of home, the riches of Life, a feeling of completeness, and enduring health.
All true goodness is spiritual coming from above and is first felt in the human experience as qualities of Love expressed. When our prayers are focused on seeking spiritual good, the sum and substance of God, rather than on material things, status or position, our prayers will be answered.
It’s a righteous prayer to seek spiritual mindedness and the things of Spirit.
The “prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
The prayer of the person seeking genuine spirituality will not be left wanting.
Showing posts with label ask. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ask. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
Do you expect to receive?
Our son went to school yesterday without his lunch. At noon he went to the table where he normally sits and announced to everyone eating that his mom forgot to pack him a lunch. So it was up to them to feed him.
(My wife was not impressed to hear his excuse for having no food because she had given him lunch money that he mindlessly left on the counter! But anyway…that’s another blog to post…)
No sooner did he sit down, that a half sandwich sped his way, a Rice Krispies treat, a piece of pizza, and enough other food to fill him three times.
When Tyler told us this story, I thought of Jesus’ teaching, “Ask, and you shall receive.”
Tyler asked, and he received—bountifully!
Do we have the same expectancy of abundance when we ask God for help?
I know some people who would sit quietly and not tell anyone they forgot their lunch, and silently starve without asking for help. Out of timidity and embarrassment, I’ve done it myself in different forms over the years. But Jesus commanded, “Ask, and you shall receive.” It’s a promise with a definite fulfillment.
Tyler expected, and he received. We can do the same.
It’s not a selfish undeserving request that is going to be blessed. There is a difference between making a mistake and needing temporary aide, and purposely not working to do the right thing and expecting others to take up your slack. The dishonest and lazy attitude will not be favored, but this kind of instance is typically more the exception than the rule.
God loves us, cares for us, and provides for us in all the right ways. When we turn to Him with open arms, an honest heart, and genuine expectancy, He’ll reward our trust.
Tyler’s experience was similar to the loaves and the fishes. He started with nothing materially, but was loaded with spiritual faith that all would be okay and he would not starve. And he ended with a bounty of leftovers.
What do you expect to receive today?
(My wife was not impressed to hear his excuse for having no food because she had given him lunch money that he mindlessly left on the counter! But anyway…that’s another blog to post…)
No sooner did he sit down, that a half sandwich sped his way, a Rice Krispies treat, a piece of pizza, and enough other food to fill him three times.
When Tyler told us this story, I thought of Jesus’ teaching, “Ask, and you shall receive.”
Tyler asked, and he received—bountifully!
Do we have the same expectancy of abundance when we ask God for help?
I know some people who would sit quietly and not tell anyone they forgot their lunch, and silently starve without asking for help. Out of timidity and embarrassment, I’ve done it myself in different forms over the years. But Jesus commanded, “Ask, and you shall receive.” It’s a promise with a definite fulfillment.
Tyler expected, and he received. We can do the same.
It’s not a selfish undeserving request that is going to be blessed. There is a difference between making a mistake and needing temporary aide, and purposely not working to do the right thing and expecting others to take up your slack. The dishonest and lazy attitude will not be favored, but this kind of instance is typically more the exception than the rule.
God loves us, cares for us, and provides for us in all the right ways. When we turn to Him with open arms, an honest heart, and genuine expectancy, He’ll reward our trust.
Tyler’s experience was similar to the loaves and the fishes. He started with nothing materially, but was loaded with spiritual faith that all would be okay and he would not starve. And he ended with a bounty of leftovers.
What do you expect to receive today?
