I began reading the book of Judges last week, and the first chapter in I was intrigued by what I read. The Promised land was being allotted to the children of Israel and Caleb offered his daughter in marriage to whomever would conquer a certain area. Someone stepped up, conquered the land and received Caleb’s daughter.
Seems pretty straightforward until you read on. Though the daughter was given land already, she goes and requests a blessing. In addition to the land, she asks for springs of water also. In response, Caleb gives her both the upper and lower springs. (Judges 1:8-15)
This simple story really stood out to me. Though the daughter was given something (land), she was so bold as to ask for more. She didn’t shy away or hesitate to speak up. Evidently she was confident in her relationship with her father and her calling.
Ask For More
Those few verses really got me to thinking. When I receive something I have such a tendency to show my gratitude, thank the Lord, and then choose contentment. We finally have a decent sales day, I praise the Lord and then hold on for slower days again. I receive a perk or someone does me a favor, I mentally check it off as my occasional special treat and don’t expect another one for a certain amount of time. These expectations are subconscious, but they’re there.
But reading this story compels me to ask for more. Not out of greed but out of a desire to go further and do more for God! Why am I so quick to lean into contentment and not rocking the boat, rather than choose boldness and growth? It is yet another area I need to overcome being timid in, and perhaps it is an area you might want to consider too.
So what if, instead of having a timid – though grateful – response of thank you and I’ll do my best not to rock the boat or expect too much for the next bit of time, we had a new boldness within us? We said a most sincere thank you – gratitude is so incredibly important – but then, we had the boldness to pray, what else can you show me, Lord? What more will you do or bring or bless me with? God sets the limits, but we do not want His goodness and generosity to be limited by our ability to receive.
He Blesses Us So That We Can Bless Others
God is so kind and generous to bless us. It is important to receive that gift and rest in it. But the reason that we ask for more isn’t to be selfish or greedy, but rather to be a bigger blessing to others. Tommy Newberry said it well when he said, your success blesses others. When our businesses do well, we are better able to serve customers and provide good employment. We provide a quality product that consumers can count on for a fair price.
So perhaps a mindset shift is necessary. Instead of fearing appearing greedy, we ask God for more so that we can better do what He has called us to do. It’s time to be bold and confident and at ease in the role God has called us to. And there’s nothing I admire more than someone nailing it in what they do! As Christians, we aren’t called to mediocrity or barely scraping by. We serve a God of abundance and more than enough and I truly believe that we best reflect Him when we boldly step into this, confident in Whom we serve!
Pay attention as you go. Rejoice in each blessing, praise God and thank Him heartfeltly. And then instead of shrinking back, ask for more! Thank You, Lord! What else will You do? Show me more! May Your blessings chase me down and overtake me!
Remember Who You Are
This isn’t about greed or discontentment. This is about remembering Who you serve. This is about remembering you are a child of the King! We cannot ask for too much from God. We cannot set our hopes and expectations too high when we keep our focus on Him. Like I said above, I’d rather ask for too much and have God set my limits, then limit God’s blessings by not asking for enough.
I’m done being timid. I’m done thinking there is an imaginary limit on His blessings. My goal and my prayer is to ask for more constantly. Lord, thank you for that incredible sale! What can you amaze me with next?! Thank you for the online sales! Will you set me off balance with even more?! Thank you for sending customers to my shops! Would you send even more and show me how to serve them better? It is so important to show our gratitude and praise the Lord, but don’t stop there!
I had a friend share with me that after an incredible breakthrough at work, they felt a bit let down as they came off that high. And I told them what I’m telling you: ask for more. There’s no rule book that says only one incredible breakthrough a year. There’s no rule that says once you have achieved x, y, and z you have to give God three months before you ask for more. No, rather praise Him and thank Him, and then ask for more!
With God, the best is yet to come, the most incredible things are always ahead, He’s always looking to outdo Himself. Do away with timidity and misplaced contentment and step into more. You will see God step up in ways beyond your imagination and you will have the opportunity to represent and serve Him that you never dreamed of!
Ask for More!
Hope.