Ask

Tis the season for making your list and checking it twice – or something like that!

Do you remember making a list of what you wanted to get for Christmas when you were younger…or maybe last week?

Maybe you have received one of those lists…painstakingly printed in childish script…in crayon…maybe with a drawing or page number from the Wish book included just so that you would get it right…and signed with XXX’s & OOO’s…hugs & kisses…

Sometimes some guidance is required with the list. A little perspective needed perhaps. A little modification. Outright refusal. “You cannot have a baby brother for Christmas!”

We do try to teach, try to model, that it isn’t all about getting, implying that we should be more modest in our asking.

There is a story in Mark chapter 10 about a blind man who is sitting by the side of the road. He had to beg if his needs were to be met.

Beg. Not ask.

One day he heard that Jesus was passing by and so he started to call out “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

People tried to quiet him. He got louder. Pleading. Begging.

We do have other accounts of Jesus encountering blindness. Once he made mud and put it on the blind eyes. Another time he touched the blind.

This time Jesus says "Call him" …tell him to come. When we call out for mercy, Jesus always says "Come!" This story does not end there.

Jesus says to the blind man, "What do you want me to do for you?"

I would have thought it to be obvious. The guy was called a blind beggar for a reason! He was blind. He was reduced to begging. Poor. Hungry. Rejected.

But Jesus asked a question. What do you want? What do you need me to do for you?

The reply was simple, specific and straightforward.

“I want to see.”

So Jesus says – okay. I will heal you. Not quite!

Jesus words actually were “Your faith has healed you.”

Wait! What faith? Did you read a declaration of faith there? All that he said was that he wanted to see. That’s faith? That’s faith for healing? Simply naming the need? Simply asking? Really?

When you are presented with a list of things that someone would like to see under the tree, that little person (or big person!), is declaring a measure of faith in your ability to provide what has been requested. That’s why the list has been given to you and not the neighbour down the street!

That you love to give is understood. That you are able to give is understood. That you will give is anticipated. That you have been asked demonstrated faith in you.

I am not wanting to suggest prayer time that becomes the equivalent of a “Dear Santa” letter. This is not about wants but about need. What if Jesus was standing in front of you and saying “What do you want me to do for you?”

You know what you need. Jesus knows what you need. Will you ask? This is not the time to be modest in our asking! Do you trust enough to ask? Simply…specifically…ask…

Do you know that your Heavenly Father loves to give?

Do you know that your Heavenly Father is able to give?

Do you anticipate receiving…anticipate enough to ask?

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matt.7:7

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him” Matt.7:11

Just ask!

Ruth