Each time, as we approach another
potentially disappointing situation, we go to God and ask[1]
but we rarely get what we are asking for. Of course, we end each of those
prayers with the customary “your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”[2]
So once again, why do we continuously suffer through the same disappointments? Have
we still not learned the life lesson? Or is there something else God is trying to
tell us?
Maybe, just maybe, we are asking
for the wrong things. As I was thinking about all of this recently, the story
of Jonah came to mind for me. I know there are many differences between my
circumstances and the story of Jonah but hear me out. God asked Jonah to
complete a task, what exactly he was supposed to do is irrelevant to my point. The
point is Jonah was not doing what God asked him to do so God controlled the
circumstances surrounding Jonah until he eventually started following God’s
plan for him. There
are two main differences between the story of Jonah and my family. First, Jonah
knew exactly what God wanted him to do. Second, Jonah intentionally ran away
from God’s plan for him. As far as me and my family goes, it feels like we need
to answer the first question first… What exactly is God’s plan for us? There’s
only one way to find out, going to God first and waiting on Him
for answers.
[1] Matthew 7:7-11 “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. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give
him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a
snake? 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 good gifts to those who ask him!”
[2] Matthew
6:9-10 “This, then, is
how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your
name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as
it is in heaven.”
