“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5 NAS95)
Last year my wife and I had a full summer, and just before it began I was asked to prepare two seminars for GEM’s Annual Conference. The full summer included training and leading summer university students in Frankfurt in practices that expand God’s Kingdom. After that finished in mid-afternoon, I continued with my normal duties. It meant close to 16 hours of work a day for 7 weeks.
Amid that fulness, I engaged in a conversation with God about the seminars. Actually, the conversation didn’t take long. He gave me two ideas and how to prepare in simply a few moments of time. I trusted what I heard, took note of it, and prepared in the time I had just prior to Annual Conference.
God amazed me with what He did. The attendance surprised me, so the topics met a real need. The conversations after each seminar showed me that God worked in the lives those who came. They experienced blessing and encouragement.
Many other moments like this occurred last year. I asked and God responded. Mind you, God prompted all these conversations, even though I asked things. Along the way, I started taking notice not just of the need to ask, but also of the answers.
Then, one day, someone asked me, “does God speak all the time.” As I answered, James 1:5 became emblazoned on my mind. “God replies generously and without reproach when we ask.” He speaks. And He wants us to hear.
For me, I noticed Him replying to my questions, not all of them mind you, but quite a few of them. I tend to think when I didn’t hear an answer, it had more to do with me and the noisiness of my heart rather than His response. Yet each time relief, wisdom, joy, goodness, pleasure, excitement, or satisfaction resulted in me or someone else.
I think God was saying, if you want wisdom or insight, ask God, who gives generously and without reproach. I think God likes doing that. I know I enjoy what He gives. What a blessing!
For Reflection:
“I will bless the LORD who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.” (Psalm 16:7 NAS95)
- How would you characterize your interactive relationship with God? What do you desire in it?
- How are you cultivating your ability to recognize God’s invitations to you?
