Seek, Ask and Knock

“For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I see now that this is all inclusive. Previous to today’s reading of this scripture I’ve incorrectly interpreted a multiple choice response. It’s not.

I’m pondering just now something very uncomfortable. Jesus said that it’s all three – seeking, asking and knocking.

There it is. That all inclusive word – and

I sit this morning and wonder if this is yet another opportunity to learn? Because seeking is fairly natural to me, but should I practice the art of asking?

Furthermore, should I be learning to knock on closed doors? At my age, do I really need to learn this? If Jesus says this is an all inclusive activity then my answer to the uncomfortable is yes. There’s certainly more for me to learn regardless of age.

Asking questions of others is something I began learning with great angst in childhood. Though I thought the discipline would end with my parents prodding, the learning continued all the way through college accounting studies and into my first career as an auditor. The practice did not come naturally. Learning to speak up in an audible voice and ask something of another person was a painful chore.

Auditors ask so many questions. And eventually, as a part of my duties I would need to approach the door of someone possessing a higher rank with so many questions.

As I circle back around to ponder this Scripture, I realize that knocking was the greatest obstacle I faced. As my brain clicks through so many more memory pictures of opportunities and doors, I think I have to admit that I have never really overcome the fear of knocking on a closed door.

To think, even at my age, about approaching the door of someone who holds greater authority with the idea of asking for something, that causes my knees to knock rather than my hand on their door!

And so there I have it. Who holds greater authority than God?

I have for so many years eagerly sought Him. And I admit that I have quite often asked for a lot from Him. I realize as a result of my pondering time that perhaps I perceive of God as having office hours?

Perhaps somewhere deep in my belief system I view God as having open door times and closed door times. I’m not sure why or how I came to believe this, but today at 60 years old I sense a freedom to knock.

The words of Jesus read more today as an invitation than a barrier. I view his words as permission rather than a confrontation.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with Me.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How about you? How do you read Christ’s words? I hope you are more free than me to seek, ask and knock anticipating complete acceptance from the Lord. And yet, I pray we all maintain a reverence at this doorway.

For our God is Holy.

There’s no one greater than God. Yet Jesus invites us in to sit at His table. He invites us to seek His majesty and to ask of Him with believing that He is the answer for everything we want and need.

Eyes on Jesus and Shine,

Lisa