“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
~ Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV~
For a long time, I read this Scripture thinking that whatever issues I had stemmed from my not being brave enough or feeling worthy enough to ask God for what I wanted or needed. The more I get into it, however; the more I see that the real meaning of this verse is that we need to diligently seek out the meaning behind what we want in our lives. Where do our desires come from? Are they for things that God means for us to have in our lives and if not, where does the need or want come from? Even if we never fully understand it, the point is that we continue to seek the truth and receive it from Him.
It isn’t about having the audacity to ask God for things, but more about knowing why we are asking Him. If our motivation is right, then yes, it will be given freely and we will experience the full joy of receiving that gift. We can be given any number of things in life, but if we don’t know why we want them or need them or if the desire springs forth from a lie, we never get the full benefit of that possession. All of the grace that God wants to give you means nothing if you can’t receive it. And you can’t receive what you don’t understand.
Since the Giver already understands the gift, it is up to the receiver to find meaning in what has been given. And that understanding rarely comes without some struggle. We are instructed in the book of Matthew to hear if we are able to hear and that even though we may not have full understanding of what He says to us and how He leads us, we can be assured that His purpose is right and true. The joy that comes from serving the Kingdom is not about getting what we desire; but about capturing what He desires for us to have.
“And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
~Matthew 21:22 NKJV~
Leading the Follower 