It's All About Me, Me, Me
I raised twin children - a boy and a girl. One of the things I taught my children from a very early age was the answer to the question, "How do you ask?" The answer was always "Please. . ." There was a right way to approach Dad. And that way involved using the word "please." When we say "please" we're asking in a polite, civil manner. It shows respect for the other person. It demonstrates that we are not being demanding in what we want. Now please wasn't the only thing that was required of my children. That was just for starters. I always had to look beyond the content of the question to the intent of the question. Was my child sincere in their question? Was there an ulterior motive? Was I being "set up"? (My kids used to do that to me ALL the time. . . they'd ask me something after their mother had already said no. . . drove me crazy!!)
So if I was able to look beyond the superficial question to the motivation, imagine how easy it is for God to look at the motivations of our requests to Him. This is a tough issue. . . there are times when I think I'm really being sincere with God - but still no answer. Obviously there is a correct path to communication with God. James gives us two rock-solid principles for sending our requests to God. The first would seem so obvious that it 's almost ridiculous - but it's not. We have to ASK. Too often we act like the typical alpha male who's driving around in circles, refusing to stop and ask for directions. Our egos and pride get in the way and we don't even ask for God's help. When we do, the second principle becomes all-important - that we ask with the right motives. What are the right motives? You can challenge your own motives by asking:
- who will benefit from my request?
- is this a need or a want?
- will this request glorify God?
- is this request all about me, me, me?
- will this request, if granted, help to further the kingdom of God?
I'm sure there are other good questions as well. Just remember that God wants us to be dependent on him - just as I wanted my children to be dependent on me.
So if I was able to look beyond the superficial question to the motivation, imagine how easy it is for God to look at the motivations of our requests to Him. This is a tough issue. . . there are times when I think I'm really being sincere with God - but still no answer. Obviously there is a correct path to communication with God. James gives us two rock-solid principles for sending our requests to God. The first would seem so obvious that it 's almost ridiculous - but it's not. We have to ASK. Too often we act like the typical alpha male who's driving around in circles, refusing to stop and ask for directions. Our egos and pride get in the way and we don't even ask for God's help. When we do, the second principle becomes all-important - that we ask with the right motives. What are the right motives? You can challenge your own motives by asking:
- who will benefit from my request?
- is this a need or a want?
- will this request glorify God?
- is this request all about me, me, me?
- will this request, if granted, help to further the kingdom of God?
I'm sure there are other good questions as well. Just remember that God wants us to be dependent on him - just as I wanted my children to be dependent on me.
