Asking for things that we already have

Ever heard of King Solomon? He once did what we often do; he asked God for what he already had. History records him as one of the wisest men that ever lived and one who received a blank cheque from God. His request teaches us that perhaps a lot of the things we seek and desire are present in things we already have. Read on to find out how to unravel them.

*What would you have asked for if God gave you a blank cheque? I could have told you mine but I’m shy today…however I get very confident when bribed with ice cream and I just might tell then😊

Let’s start with this question: was King Solomon not already wise by asking for wisdom rather than its by-products like riches and fame? What do you think? It seems to me that he was already operating in what he was requesting for, yet he requested for it as though he lacked it, why? Because he needed an upgrade. We all do every once in a while, because we have things in measures.

Yes he was wise enough to know what to ask for but that doesn’t mean he had it in a sufficient measure for this current season of his life. He was now King and his father had left a great legacy but he had never ruled. He needed a new measure of wisdom for the responsibilities he was now faced with. You see, if we don’t understand that we have and obtain things in measures, a few things may happen; we may struggle to be grateful for things we already have, constantly question why we don’t have what we desire or even gradually slip into discontentment, self-doubt and anger with God.

“When our minds are fixed on what we “lack”, it becomes difficult to maximise what we currently have and for a number of situations in life, we often have to put what we have to good use to get a step closer to what we want. Increase obeys the law of seasons and faithfulness, and most people that live in the reality of their desires today achieved that by remaining diligent with the little steps over time.”

By making a wise request, he was already demonstrating to God that he would properly maximise what he was requesting for because he was putting to use what he had in the measure that was currently available. He was demonstrating wisdom in little and was granted more wisdom for greater.

“For a number of scenarios in our lives, it’s not that we don’t have what we seek, we just don’t have it in the measure that is compatible with our current season, priorities or required responsibilities. We get the compatible measure by being faithful with the available measure.”

Now I must stress that this may not apply to all areas of our lives and things may not often be this straightforward but upon reflection I realised that it does in a number of areas. Let’s look at a few examples. When we ask God:

• For money, we already have it, it's just that it's in the form of time and unharnessed potential. How have we handled the currencies of time and talents that he's given already?

• For employment opportunities, how have we handled our divine assignment? That can be translated into a business or engaged in until we get a “job”. One’s job and purpose may not always be the same, but for every time we walk in divine purpose, we’re already employed by God.

• For new relationships, we have one with him and others he brings our way. How have we handled both? The new relationship may spring forth from the acquaintances and friendships we already have.

• For educational opportunities, how have we handled similar moments when there were opportunities to be mentored, were we teachable?

Again things are not often this linear but for those that are, I pray that God helps us take a heart posture of gratitude to him for what we already have and helps us to also remain faithful at maximising their use. I trust that in his perfect timing God would grant you your desires, the upgrade of what you already have....in the measure that only him can give. Stay encouraged, you are not incomplete or less than because you don’t have a measure of the things you seek. It’s on the way…demonstrate that you are prepared for it by dealing faithfully with the measure that’s currently available.

Take-home points:

• We get the compatible measure by being faithful with the available measure…"He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much..."

• Let's reassess our expectations of what we need and redefine our definitions of what we lack.

• Before we judge God unfaithful, let's be honest in assessing how we've handled the similitude of the things we desire (that may already be present but in a different measure) and improve our management of them.

• Stay encouraged. Stay encouraged. Stay encouraged.

Resources:

• The full story of how Solomon asked for wisdom (Biblegateway)

• Perhaps you might want to write out your thoughts, requests, feelings and expectations in words, there are journals here to help you do that

Image Credit:

• Infographic created by author and photos from unsplash by Simone Secci and from Aish.com