Ask – A Neglected and Important Reminder

Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

The bible is an inexhaustible source for life principles and guidance. You don’t have to be Christian to find inspiration in the New Testament or Jewish to appreciate the truth in the Psalms. You don’t even have to be religious to understand how the bible is important as a foundation for the rights and freedoms embodied in the US Constitution by the founding fathers. So when I quote scriptures, I am not proselytizing, just providing a cultural resource for living life fully. Sometimes it helps to look at scriptures out of the context of religion because many times there is an added message loaded on top of the literal meaning by religious tradition or practise which distracts from the actual words.

No Qualifications

The opening verse from Matthew is a good example. In the verse there is no qualification. It doesn’t say what to ask for. It doesn’t tell what is the right thing and what is wrong. It just says ask. The biblical reference is clearly about asking God but I also think it applies to our relationships with people and provides a good lesson for everyone, religious or not. In the case of God there is other baggage. Since God is all knowing, you might as well ask for what you want because God knows anyway. With normal human beings it is harder. They don’t know what is going on with you, only what you tell them. So the advice of Matthew is to ask for what you want. Be transparent. Let the words out of your mouth and reveal your inner thoughts, needs and wants. You may not get them but your chances are greatly increased when you ask.

Asking should be part of your life plan

This post is an introduction to a series of post talking about asking, about applying Matthew’s recommendation to our lives. I want you to begin thinking about the scripture verse as a model for your relationships. We are taught that it is better to give than to receive but if someone is going to give there has to be a receiver. You can’t have a baseball game with only a pitcher. You need a batter, a catcher and an outfield.

Asking is a team sport

Isn’t it better for everyone if the receiver gets what he wants. Few of us are mindreaders and isn’t it better when you are giving what the receiver wants instead of what you are willing to give away. So that is why asking is critical in any relationship. Open yourself up and ask. I plan to follow this post with specific discussions about asking to flesh out the argument and help with the appreciation of this neglected yet important part of relationships. Are you open and asking for help in your day to day life? Why and how? And it not, tell me why.