Ask Me

Black Friday 2018 was a fun day. My mom and I went out for our hair appointments and came back to a surprise. That day is memorable because while my mom and I were out, my dad fried catfish! Guys, it was so good! I have not had my dad’s famous catfish since the early 2000s. The catfish was a surprise, but in some ways, it was not. A few days earlier, my mom asked my dad to make the fish. Initially, he seemed indifferent to her request.  We later found that because she asked, he provided.

He was compelled to act because she asked him. It was an act of love.

Do you see a theme here? She asked. He provided.

God is the same way with us. We see the concept over and over in scripture. I have read John 14:14 so many times. Recently, it hit me in a different way. Jesus sounds like someone who is truly in love.   Jesus sounds like a husband willing to provide for his wife.

You may ASK ME for anything in my name, and I will do it.  John 14:14 NIV

If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ASK of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone GENEROUSLY and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.

BUT he MUST ASK [for wisdom] IN FAITH, WITHOUT doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind. 

For such a person ought not to think or expect that he will receive anything [at all] from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable and restless in all his ways [in everything he thinks, feels, or decides]. James 1:5-8 AMP

Up until recently, this type of love was foreign to me. I was raised by loving and generous parents, but since childhood I never asked for much. I accepted what was given to me, but I rarely made specific requests. Asking people for anything was very uncomfortable. I did not want to be a burden to those around me. 

Overtime, it became pride masking itself in humility. 

Asking takes humility. My relationship with making requests in the natural translated to how I related to God in the spiritual. When I had concerns, I would think to pray, but I talked myself out of it. Surely, God had bigger things to worry about than my missing keys or my hurt feelings. There was no need to bother Him with my concerns. I could figure it out. After all, I am strong and independent. Have you ever been there? If you have, I have a secret for you.

God’s desire was never that you become more self-sufficient. He wants you to be comfortabledepending on Him. You are worth that much to Him.

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet NOT one of them is FORGOTTEN by God.Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are WORTH MORE than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7 NIV

Why would the God of all creation want me to ask Him anything? 

First and foremost, He is our Father. He wants us to ask because He loves us.

You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 

So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will YOUR heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ASK HIM. Matthew 7:9 – 11 NLT

Second, He wants to teach us to trust Him with EVERYTHING, big, small, and indifferent, because He will provide for us. 

Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5 -6

Third, He wants to show us (just guess lol!). Yep, you guessed it, God wants to show us true love. 

True love gives. 

For God SO LOVED the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV

            If God would give His only son, why would He withhold any goodthing from us? He wouldn’t. He knows what is best for us. 

So, the next time you pray, ask God for what you want AND need. He wants to know what is on your heart, because He cares. He simply wants you to humble yourself and ask Him. He loves you. Ask Him in faith and watch Him exceed your expectations. 

Big hugs,

Ayanna