Tanzanian Songbird Christina Shusho has a new jam out and as per the standards she has set before, it is smoking hot. I love the song and since it has been on replay, it got me thinking about a couple of things I wanna share on. First though, kindly ponder on this - do you sometimes feel guilty asking God for stuff; or are you like the guy at the beginning of the video who has no idea what He wants God to do for Him; or are you probably like the cripple by the pool of Bethesda who gave excuses when Christ asked him a simple question - do you want to get well?
Too Scared To Ask: I must admit, when I was still young in salvation I used to feel too guilty to ask God for stuff. I always had this thought at the back of my mind that I was reducing God to an 'ATM' - "Oh Lord I want this & that & that & don't forget that too" :-). I assumed that since God is an all knowing God and He already knows what I want, no reason to bombard Him with requests cause He will definitely sort me out - epitome of naivety. A sermon from James 4:2 woke me up to the reality that I need to ask of God whatever it is I desire. It doesn't just happen automatically. James 4:2 " You do not have because you do not ask [it of God]". It isn't however just about asking, you need to consider the motive driving your requests. James 4 goes further and elaborates in verse 3 "You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires". You know what, it is ok to ask God to fulfill your desires, do not feel guilty about it. He is a loving Father who seeks to satisfy His children with whatever they need. Mathew 7:7-8 "Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking will find, and to him who keep on knocking, it will be opened".
Have No Idea What To Ask: There are at times, I get so caught up and overwhelmed by life's situations that all I want is God to come through for me, how...I don't know - I just need His mercy to speak on my behalf. So yes, I have experienced situations where I have no idea what to ask but often times I am reminded of Bartimaeus in Mark 10. He kept calling on Jesus as He was leaving the city to have mercy on him and when Christ gave him audience, he did not waste his time. That was such a golden opportunity for Bartimaeus given that those around him were not amused by his shouts to Jesus. Mark 10:51 "What do you want me to do for you? Jesus asked". The blind man said "Rabbi I want to see". Think about this & take it as a challenge - if in the midst of your cry for God to have mercy on you He happens to make a stop and ask "what do you want me to do for you?", would you know what to tell him or will you start scratching your head wondering 'haiya hapa kunaendaje'? Be specific in what you want because just like Bartimaeus got his request so will you get yours. Mark 10:52 "Go," said Jesus, your faith has healed you. Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. Jesus' response to Bartimaeus' request brings me to another aspect of knowing exactly what you are asking for. Jesus told Bartimaeus "your faith has healed you" which begs the question, what part does faith play in having our desires met? Mark 11:24 "For this reason I am telling you, whatever things you ask for in prayer [in accordance with God's will], believe [with confident trust] that you have received them, and they will be given to you." There you have it, as you ask..be confident and have faith that whatever it is you are believing God for will be granted.
Too Many Excuses: I know sometimes it can be overwhelming and you may get tongue tied when God shows up and asks "what would you want me to do for you?" Maybe you have waited on God and it seems to be taking too long or you have seen those around you getting their requests answered and desires met yet you are still waiting. That was the case with the cripple by the pool at Bethesda. The cripple had been by the pool for an entire 38 years and year in year out others would beat him to the pool when an angel stirred the water and got their healing. I want to imagine that he always watched with so much discouragement how others were getting healed while he still remained there with no hope of ever getting to the pool just in time. In a way I think he had probably accepted his fate - that he may never get to the pool hence he may never get healed. Jesus asked him a very simple question - John 5:6 "When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?" Instead of ceasing the moment and ask for his healing, this guys starts giving excuses and telling stories.. John 5:7 "Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me." While reading this verse I sometimes feel like I wanna punch this guy in the face, why couldn't he have just said YES, I want to get well - but then again I am reminded of the many times I have given excuses for not asking for what I want. Despite his lack of wisdom, Jesus still had compassion on him and healed him. John 5:8 "Then Jesus said the him, "Get up! Pick your mat and walk".
So let me join Shusho in asking.....wataka akutendee nini {what do you want God to do for you?} As we finish 2016, think of what you would want God to do for you and just let Him know. He is ready and willing to listen and respond. Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.