Have you ever read a scripture that you have read several times before and felt like it was speaking to you? One of the scriptures from my church’s fast hit me so hard I had to go and read it in context. Now the key scripture was James 1:8 but as I backed up to verse 7 I realized that I needed to back up some more. I ended up reading verses 2-8 but I am sharing just the part that was relevant to me. Please feel free to read the entire chapter.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8.
This scripture is truly a game changer for me since I am in a new season in my life. I am used to being in charge and “knowing” what to do but this journey requires me to completely depend on God. It forces me to have to ask questions that most would take for granted. It pushes me to discern who I am supposed to be connected to and who wants to connect for the ride. There are some things that I would normally allow to just happen in my life but now I have to take an active wise role. None of those things can happen apart from God.
My timid way of asking for things cannot be the standard in this part of my journey, only half asking because I am afraid that the answer will be no. I am reminded of how my teenager who would want a snack but would only agree that he wanted it if he was sure he would get it. God doesn’t want us to half ask Him for anything. He doesn’t want us to sit on the fence. He doesn’t want us to only desire it if it looks like a sure thing. That’s not faith.
God wants us to go all in and come boldly to Him and make our requests made known. I have to believe that Philippians 1:6 includes me, too. I have to be confident that He who begun a good work in me will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. In this season of my life that means that I have to be bold enough to ask for wisdom and trust that I will receive it. I cannot live a double life of who I am and who I was. Either I am going to trust Him or I am not.
I may have to make the same declaration that the father in Mark 9:24 made, “I believe. Help my unbelief.” He was honest about where he was in his faith as he came boldly to Jesus to heal his son. The reality of the failed attempts to have his son healed may have entered his mind yet he came to the one who had the power to heal. He knew Jesus had a track record of success but bracing himself just in case. Something in his spirit must have told him that he needed to believe so he made his transparent statement.
I would be lying if I said that this season in my life was not scary but I trust God. Along with my prayer for wisdom I declare that I believe and trust that God will help my unbelief.
Are you in a season of your life where you need to make some bold requests but are doubting it can happen? Do you need wisdom to know what are the next the steps? Are you afraid to ask the big question? Be bold and ask God for what you need. If God has called you to do something don’t back away into the shadows and hope that you will be seen. God did not place you there. Seek Him first and trust Him to guide you into all truth.
Lord I thank you for this season of my life. God I seek your wisdom. Help me to be bold enough to trust you and not doubt. Lord, help me to see in me who you see and trust that you will guide the way. Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Just another day’s journey of learning to boldly ask for wisdom from God. Peace.
Just Another Day's Journey 