I wanted a
Calzone with a topping list from the pizza menu. Seemed easy enough to me to do
but you never know. The risk I was taking involved a “no” and what else would I
choose. There was so much on the menu but I had a target. If the answer was no,
it would be like my children who at times go to the refrigerator open the doors
wide cooling the house stare into the stuffed appliance and with great emphasis
state “there is nothing to eat.” Heard
that? If you have kids you have. Maybe you have even said it yourself. What
that means is there is nothing you choose to eat regardless of the endless
possibility of the supply at hand. That was where I was. The menu was full of
possibilities but I had laser targeted one combination and now for the answer.
Jesus speaking to his followers said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed
you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you
whatever you ask in my name.” John 15:16 NIV
1984
That would
appear in our minds to be an unlimited menu. Endless possibilities for us to
ask God for…riches…health…peace…well you name it and you can claim it all in
prayer. Sounds too good to be true but we ask any way, don’t we? In our asking
from this unlimited menu we believe we are the customer and customers are
always right. We can tell God what we want and He will do it. After all, HE
said to! That is selfish and at the same time foolish. We just don’t know
enough to ask sometimes for the right stuff. On several occasions I have asked
God for…well…a job…or…resources and he did not give it to me. I was
disappointed. As time passed, I came to thank God for not giving me what I had
asked for. My desired request turned out not to be what I thought it was. I was
thankful God had said no. Sometimes the answer is yes just not how we thought.
Barbara my
wife told me of encountering some ladies who were downcast and upset following
a weekend (no not from Monday morning). They had a dear friend die that they
had repeatedly, faithfully asked God to heal. Many folks had petitioned God on
behalf of this saint for healing and yet death had come. They were upset that
God had not heard let alone answered their prayers. Maybe you’ve been there or
are there. God has not answered like you asked him too. Your loved one died or
continues to be sick. You are mad at him! He broke His word. That’s OK, be mad,
he is big enough to handle your anger. David was angry with God on several
occasions look in the Psalms. I
suggested to Barbara that God had heard their prayers and answered yes! Their friend,
who was a believer, was now whole and Holy. Healed of sin and its terminal
effects and completely transformed into the image of Christ.
I often
forget that God in allowing me to ask anything of him never ceases to be God. Never
ceases to be the ONE who wants the very best for me all of the time. He is targeted
on my salvation by transformation into the image of Christ. Every request is
judged by that goal and response is made in light of that goal of his. Not
always is my goal the same. I am a saint who still sins you know, oh do you
know. Most times I don’t have any idea of the BIG picture. That is why I count
on him to do the best for me. That is faith, counting on God to be and do the
best for HIS glory and my good. It may not be what I like, but it is always
best. When I can’t see his hand I need to trust his heart. His heart is good.
Di I say the food was good?
Back to my
food request, she said, “yes we can have that small pizza folded over.” Simple
solution and a great meal and lunch Friday as it was so big (expensive too in
my opinion but hey I was not paying for it). I chose well (this time).
In HIS Service and Yours,
The Rev
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