The blizzard obliterated the view from my office window. I couldn’t even see to the end of the driveway. The wind and driving snow howled and even though I was inside, the mayhem outside was unsettling.
Life feels like a storm sometimes. You’re struggling to take the next step, your options are cloudy, the direction of your life feels caught in the howling winds of uncertainty. If you are in a blizzard season, over the next couple of weeks I want to share 3 keys to finding direction in your life straight from the word of God.
Luke 11:9-10 says “And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you;
seek, and you will find;
knock, and it will be opened to you.
For whoever asks, receives,
and the one who seeks finds,
and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”
If you’re like me, you’ve probably struggled with understanding these verses. We’ve prayed long and hard about some things in life and haven’t had the answers we wanted or received clear enough direction from the Lord.
So we get tired and cranky and then give up. But the word of God asks us to consider another way…the way of solitude, servanthood, sacrifice. Communion.
key #1
ASK…
Having everything at our fingertips all the time has spoiled us for the perseverance required for the Christian life. Adding whatever we want to our proverbial cart spills over into all facets of life and even affects how we think prayer works. Shouldn’t it just be a click and away we go to the prayers-answered checkout?
Read up on these stories of persistence in the Bible:
- The persistent widow – Luke 18:1-8
- The man who needed bread – Luke 11:5-8
- Elijah praying for rain – 1 Kings 18:41-45
How about Anna the prophetess who prayed in the temple for over 60 years or Daniel who fasted and prayed for 21 days while the spiritual realm raged in warfare.
There are, of course, many more examples but the point is asking. Praying. And the point of prayer has always been about relationship with our Heavenly Father.
I was out for a walk a couple of months ago, pleading with the Lord about a decision I was faced with. I was worn out from talking to him about it. I was angry that he hadn’t responded. I was telling him I was ready to give up.
The Holy Spirit pricked my conscience.
The waiting was for me. It was filtering my perceptions, realigning my perspective. The intent of my heart had been hidden under the guise of holy but was haughty instead. I hadn’t realized it until that moment. He lovingly revealed my selfishness.
Persistence gets rid of us and ushers in our Savior.
It strips everything else away. And what remains? Wanting his will accomplished, longing to see him work and joyfully taking part in his plans and purposes on the earth.
Lay it all out there for him. Ask him to open your eyes to possibilities you haven’t considered yet. Ask him to make you aware of opportunities. Give him permission to stretch you beyond your current comfort level. Open the eyes of your heart as you patiently pray.
Next week we’ll talk about the second key. I pray the Lord’s hand will rest upon your life!
Blessings,
Rhonda