The Heart of Seeking, Asking, Knocking

It is a toy overload in our house after Christmas or birthday. For whatever reason, it is believed that my daughter doesn't have enough to entertain her in the toy world, and we end up with piles of toys that invade every room of the house for months. I feel like it's a strategy to make her mama snap. I literally step on a different princess figurine every time I walk up the stairs. I gave up putting together puzzles and putting them away because it would be 10 minutes before they are all turned over again and mixed together. She has enough dolls to take up another bedroom, and I think they have more clothes laying around than I even own for myself...yet they are all still naked...all. the .time. The random pieces to play sets, the fake kitchen food, the stickers...oh, my...the stickers...everywhere.
Yet there will always be something she wants, or in her mind, needs.

We all "need" something, that we don't actually need. We DO need basic necessities, but we DON'T need 100 princess figurines that cause our moms to curse like sailors under their breath. (Don't judge me. Pray for me.) We live in a culture that says get what you can. Buy it all. Get the deals while you can, even if you don't really need it. We make wish lists (I love Amazon), and we budget for things that will break and decay over time. Yet in Matthew 7, Jesus says to "Ask, and it will be given to you."

I think a lot of times we misunderstand this passage. There is more to it. Because in the previous chapter of Matthew, also the Sermon on the Mount, literally 8 verses before "Ask and you'll receive" we also read,

"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33

This is after Jesus says we will be provided for - clothes and food, and not to worry about tomorrow. This verse alone tells us that when we seek, ask, knock, we need to seek His kingdom first. In other words, what is the motive for your asking, seeking, knocking? Do you trust God enough to give you what you need when you need it? I do believe we receive blessings in all shapes and sizes. Whether your blessings look like family, great friends, or even processions, they are God's and they should never come before Him.

I think it is important to ask God boldly for things, or opportunities, but just check your motives. Are you asking for your gain or His? Do you trust Him to bring about these things or opportunities in His timing and in His discretion? Remember, He sees the bigger picture, after all. Even Abraham asked God to spare Sodom for Lot, but God still destroyed it. He did spare Lot, however. Sometimes our asks don't match God's plan.

Scripture to read:
Genesis 18:16-33, 19:1-29

Questions to ponder:
What are some things you've asked God for? Were they needs or wants in your mind?
Why do we have trouble trusting God's plan for providing for us at times?
How can we remember God's faithfulness to us so we don't worry?