Did you ask? by Cheryl Sidler

Several years ago, I was trying to decide if I could really start working part-time at Prairie Ridge.  Being a church secretary was my dream since childhood but I figured I would just do it when I retired from my career at that time.  The change seemed impossible to me even though I desperately wanted it!  As I was telling my husband, Jay, that I just didn’t think my employer at that time would allow me a day off each week to work at church, he chimed in with a simple but profound question…”Did you ask?”  Well, after that, I did ask and my employer obviously said “yes” because I have been working at The Ridge for almost 9 years! Boy, am I glad Jay asked me that question…and that I followed through!  And I’m even more grateful for the faith-building ways God worked in my life to make this possible! 

This got me thinking of all the ways I decide something won’t work without ever asking God.  I stew about in my own (lack of) power and ignore the fact that God has all the power & wisdom I need!  I have a couple of really handy excuses I use often…bypassing the fact that God can overcome them.  Maybe He’s just waiting for me to ask! 

What are some of your excuses? Do these thoughts sound familiar?  “I just don’t like to read the Bible”, “I don’t have the time”, “I read but I can’t understand it anyway”, “I feel awkward praying”, “I don’t like early mornings”…Think through all the excuses we humans like to offer (believe me, I’ve tried them all!) and then think to yourself, “Did you ask?”  Have you invited God into the situation? Have you asked Him to help you accept the answer?  He really does have all the power and wisdom we need…and plenty of grace too! 

Please don’t take this as a legalistic obligation or guilt trip. These were just thoughts God prompted in me recently.  His relationship with each of us is unique to the way He made us.  The bottom line is that He wants a relationship with us…let Him define how yours will look.  He wants to be a part of your entire life…not just sections of it.  Remember, God doesn't love us more because we spend time with Him (He already loves us perfectly)…but a daily walk is where we get to know and love our Savior a little more each day.

Spend a little time with God right now. 

Read some of His Word. Ephesians 3 

Praise Him.

Ask Him to overcome excuses.

Thank Him for His grace.

I Need No Other by Todd Agnew