I know, I know...I already have a post today, but wanted to follow up on a conversation a few of us had about Luke 11: 5-13. It's a section that I neglected in my first post. Not really sure why that happened, but it wasn't on purpose.
In this section, Jesus starts with a story about a man who knocks on his friend's door in the middle of the night. Apparently, the man received some unexpected company, and is asking his friend for three loaves of bread to help feed his visitors. The friend, already snug and warm in his bed calls out "Go away! My children are already sleeping, I'm snug and warm and I'm not opening the door." The first man, continues knocking and calling out until his friend gets up from bed, unlocks the door and gives him the bread.
I've heard some folks say that the "friend" in the passage refers to God the Father. But reading on further, I personally don't think that's the case. Verse 9 in the Message Bible says: "Here's what I'm saying: Ask and you'll get; Seek and you'll find; Knock and the door will open."
I don't think that this means God is going to give us a blank check either. Remember, he wants what's best for us, and sometimes that means not giving us what we ask for. But in those cases, I think he also passes on a little wisdom and shows why the thing we thought we really wanted and needed, is something that we don't want and/or need. It brings to mind a kiddo who wants to eat nothing but chocolate, candy, cake, donuts, brownies and other sugary treats. To paraphrase Violet from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory "They want it and they want it NOW!" In their minds, they want that sugary goodness. They need that sugar high. But we as adults (usually) know that with every sugar high, comes a pretty drastic sugar low.
The last four verses in the Message Bible are pretty helpful as well.
10 "Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in.11 If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate?12 If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider?13 As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing-you're at least decent to your own children. And don't you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?"
I love how it tells us to be direct with God. Those of you who have spent any time around children of any age, know when they are beating around the bush. They kind of do that hover thing - wandering around the house with you - talking about things you like to talk about - doing chores without being asked. And then finally, once they have their courage built up, and they think they're going to get the answer their looking for, they ask their question. As a parent, this can be a bit aggravating. Although, having those chores done without badgering them is a pretty good trade off. But God doesn't want to play that game. He wants us to ask him for what we want. But above that, I think he wants us to trust him for the best answer for us.
I'm also pretty glad that God is not going to give me a snake or a spider when I ask for fish or an egg. (Snakes are an enigma to me. How do they move without feet?"
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