“Ask and you shall receive
” — As a young girl, these words echoed through my ears while I sat in various educational environments, whether I was receiving a lesson in bible study, or receiving the word from a spiritual leader who was being used as a vessel to spread the word of the Lord. But as a child, and the baby girl of the family, it seemed like I didn’t have to put those words into practice because I always had everything that I needed, or even desired.
As a young adult, life began handing me doses of uncertainty and the trials set before me brought those words to fruition for me. As I matured, my prayers matured. Many prayers were answered but not always the way I anticipated — but based on the Lord’s purpose for me.
The phrase “ask and you shall receive” found in John 16:24 flashed before me this morning as I was sitting at my computer writing one of my many projects. I reflected on how often I prayed to be able to work for myself, and not for the company that paid me a yearly salary and provided benefits that helped me care for my family. Even though that job helped me live comfortably, I wasn’t spiritually satisfied and internally I was deteriorating. I longed for the day that would give me room to be purposeful. I prayed, and asked for the opportunity to work for myself.
In Matthew 7:8 it is written that “for everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.” What I’ve learned from reading the scripture and believing in the word is that even though you ask, you will receive it…eventually. It may not come the same week, month or even in the same year, but you have to listen, follow instructions through meditation and prepare for the opportunity once the door opens. What I’ve also realized is that even though my prayer was consistent, many boulders were placed in my path during my time of prayer. Now it isn’t for me to reveal how long it took, and what it took for my prayer to be answered. What I can say is, unexpectedly, a clear path was placed before me. In a split second, my life changed. The life I was conditioned to living with a major void suddenly halted and the GPS reset and redirected my route. The path that had been placed in my spirit through my nightly dreams were very visible. I was briefly fearful of the unknown, as the words of the wise elders chanted in my ear, “be careful what you ask for.” I experienced self-doubt, but then was reminded of the Lord’s word. I asked, and it was time for me to accept and receive, for the path I was built to travel was in front of me. It was my time to step up and follow the directions set before me; not just because I wanted it…but because it’s my purpose.