Since getting to Nicaragua our squad has been in the empowerment phase of the race. Everything is optional and we must each choose into everything we do instead of things being mandatory. For our last mini debrief the whole theme was empowerment. We had a planning team, they planned the whole weekend, who taught, worship team, and the schedules. Everything that leadership would normally do, we did. It’s been very cool to watch our squad step into willingness to lead.
In my “Cya Nicaragua” blog I mention the interns we were with for the month, Madi and Amber. Both incredible girls who have serious obedience to the Fathers will. They actually got to come with us to our mini debrief and teach! Everyone has different experiences and perspectives that the Lord has shown them. It was really cool to here them both speak and my own squadmates speak. It was an eye-opening weekend.
Madi got on stage and talked about asking the Lord for things. Asking the lord questions.
I honestly didn’t realize I could ask anything from God. It’s really easy to live a faith of stepping on egg shells. But I often forget that God KNOWS me. If my life was a pen, God can pick it up, swing it around in every which way, examine it and appreciate it. In fact, he sees the thoughts of when I need things and he’s itching to give it me. He’s a giving and caring God.
Madi shared with us a beautiful illustration.
This man comes to the end of his life and God pulls his name out (I always think of Bruce Almighty haha!). Inside his folder is a massive list of all the things he didn’t ask for, which God was ready to give to him.
// James 4:2 //
“You do not have, because you do not ask God”.
Sometimes the process is just asking. Evaluating my life and seeing all the times I’ve wanted something and I’ve never thought to ask God. The massive things like salvation for people around or fear in my heart, YES! But I don’t ask God for anything day to day, anything simple.
I want to live in the freedom that I have a God that delights in giving me good gifts.
It’s like Christmas. Parents love buying gifts for their children. And why wouldn’t they, they love them and they want to treat them well. God is exactly the same. When we ask and he gives to us it makes him smile. Of course I don’t know that for a fact but I always see my father smiling down at me in my head. A father who loves me and WANTS to be the one I choose above all else. The one I come to for help and for requests. I mean, the amount of times my incredibly patent, earthly father (love you dad!) received a call that I locked myself out of my car (it happened three times in one week once!) or I needed a ride or I left my school project at home or I wasn’t feeling well and I needed him, my father the one who cares for me, dads/moms desire to help their children!
God wants to give to us!
After all of this there is our human nature. God is fully aware of this and will not grant us requests that don’t fit his perfect will. Really sitting and asking yourself if this request is surrounding fleshly desires. Not letting that get in the way of what God truly has for you!
Madi was talking about how she had a layover in an airport. She was feeling tired and simply asked God for a free cup of coffee. She could pay for it but she didn’t feel like paying for it. She ended up needing a plug and a place to work so she went to Starbucks. She sat down without buying anything. A man approached her and turned out to be a follower of Christ. They ended up sharing each other’s testimonies and having a great couple of hours getting to know each other. He then got up and left to board his plane. By this point she didn’t have much time until she herself needed to walk to her gate to board her plane. Then, the man came back and said his flight got delayed. He was going to order another coffee and asked her if she wanted one! Wow, thanks God! This story shows that God will grant us a simple request as getting us coffee but it was hours and hours later. Especially today in our society it’s all about, okay how quickly can I get this to then move onto the next thing in my life. God isn’t about that life, he takes his time and will use you if you are willing.
She ended with giving us questions. To sit and answer with God. Communicating what we want because requests are just words until you make them a reality. Next time you want something, ask for it, have loose expectations and see what happens!
Here are the questions she specifically gave us but I encourage you to sit down and ask God things very specific to your life;
//What are you desiring when you come home?
What do you need?
Specifically.
Asking for stuff specific to Your home, for me, Costa Rica//
I’ve had really simple things since that talk. Like “God this shower is freezing and I know I can handle it but I would really appreciate a warm shower”, then getting warm water!
Something I ask a lot of is rest. Supernatural rest. To not wake up in the middle of the night and to wake me up exactly when I need to be awaken.
It’s crazy how rested I feel in the morning after asking God!
Ultimately the best gift God is waiting to give us is, The Holy Spirit. I believe the Holy Spirt enters our heart the moment we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. We start this partnership with the Holy Spirit and He will never leave me. We have a choice everyday to live by the spirit and not by the flesh. Thus, disconnecting ourselves from the spirit but He never leaves us.
//Luke 11:11-13//
“Which of your 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 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!”
After learning this I will have random moments like in the shower or when I need good sleep and I simply ask. It’s been such a good tool and is so simple.
God is waiting for you to ask!! :))
