Persistence

How many of us can say that we knew what we wanted as we reached those pivotal moments reaching adulthood.  I was a very bold and outgoing kid and I craved being around people.  I now know this to be called an extrovert.  I am still energized by being around others.  However, I carried a lot of insecurities growing up.  I made decisions based on going with the crowd, even down to college.  I mean, looking back I can't remember even having a clear idea of what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go except for college and big city, married and children.  I would probably tie this to my lack of identity in who I was. I read not long ago that everything God created was tied to a source.  For example, the fish were created and their source was the water.  Without their source, they would die.  When humans were created, we were created in the image of God.  God is our source.  So my belief is that the main culprit in identity crisis and this sense of wandering in our life seeking happiness is the desire to be connected to our source - God. So when I read this passage from Matthew, my eyes were opened to this verse in way that I haven't seen it before.  It reads...

Matthew 7:7-8, 11 The Passion Translation (TPT)7 “Ask, and the gift is yours. Seek, and you’ll discover. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 For every persistent one will get what he asks for. Every persistent seeker will discover what he longs for. And everyone who knocks persistently will one day find an open door. 11 If you, imperfect as you are, know how to lovingly take care of your children and give them what’s best, how much more ready is your heavenly Father to give wonderful gifts to those who ask him?” What I think here, is that it's not saying we can have whatever we want, but sort of....Let me explain... :) If we are persistent in seeking God, he is going to reveal to us the desires of our hearts and what we long for because HE DESIGNED US and HE KNOWS!  The key is not asking for anything we want but asking for what God wants for us (which is more than we can ask or imagine). I love verse 11 because while I consider myself to be an awesome mom, I fall short like everyone else in all areas of my life.  And if I still can be this mom to my kids despite my shortcomings, how much more can God love me and bless me?  He is going to open doors and smile as I walk in my identity, and no more wandering. He is good!