Solomon was 12 years old when he became King after David's passing. We read in 1 Kings 3:5-15 the Lord came to him and told him He would grant him anything. Solomon asked for wisdom to lead God's people. At 12 years old. How many of us would have or are asking for these types of things now? Let alone at 12?
I have been reading the Bible from cover to cover this past year. During this time, I have read and been reminded of the full story behind so many popular scriptures we all have memorized. I have always loved the context of scriptures and it is good to read the context of the chapter and book! This being said, my reading yesterday brought me to:
Luke 11:9-10: “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
We all know the scripture, but it was the rest of Luke 11 that reminded me WHY the door is opened. It is not because we keep asking or because we even ask in the first place. But it is because of the good Lord having compassion:
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11-14)
Here's the deal, since the first time I read of Solomon's story, I began asking for wisdom. Since then, the Spirit has certainly helped me discern, it has helped me distinguish right and wrong, it has shown me insight. But to what avail is wisdom if we do not share? I do not have a country to lead, I do not have a podium or a tree stump. I have this blog, I have family and friends. I have shared the times God has opened my heart and given me metaphors. I have shared because if it helps me, it could help others.
But I have been sinning lately. I have held onto some enlightments and not shared.
Matt Chandler is currently doing a sermon series in which he has listed the main two sin hurdles for men and women.
Men: passivity and selfish aggression
Women: comparison/competition and perfectionism
(Watch the sermons here: http://www.thevillagechurch.net/resources/sermons/ )
In my selfish desire to write the PERFECT blog with correct punctuation, formatting and hey why not pictures?, I have delayed sharing wisdom given to you. Sure, I am not saying it is a matter of life or death or that it is earth shattering wisdom, but I cannot count how many thoughts and drafts I have started but not completed simply because it is not perfect yet. Will it ever be perfect, though?
Probably not. Not by my will alone. Perfection can only be attained through Christ's work on the cross, because He is perfect. A thought from the sermon: how can you ever be at peace if everything has to be perfect? STOP carrying the burden of perfection.
This is my apology and committment to share more openly and with less of an attitude of needing to be perfect. If He is speaking through me, the ears He has opened will hear it as it is intended; I could never perfectly articulate everything for everyone (mainly due to my run-on sentences :P).
So back to Solomon and the excerpt from Luke I leave you with the question, what gifts are you asking for and why? Why aren't we asking for more gifts of the Spirit? Wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, speaking in tongue, interpretation of tongues.
Continually growing & learning,
Rachel
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