There is something that grieves me more than almost anything else in mommy culture and it is this: our all-too-common practice of frantically Google-searching, book-reading, study-finding, and expert-seeking that we do when it comes to finding out what it looks like to be great moms.
It isn't that studies and books can't be helpful. It's that we are wasting so much time vying for the words of the latest and greatest "expert" (words which differ from those of the next "expert" on the next website!), that we have no time left over for seeking God's will for the life of our own individual family. We are so busy following the words of man that we are relegating to the back burner the words of God. All the while peace is hard to find as we fester and stew over which so-called "expert" to follow in this life.
Photo courtesy of Ben White
Dear friend, God has a far better way! And it comes through clearly in the beautiful, hope-filled words of James 1:5,
"Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him."
Let's break this verse down for a minute.
If any of you lacks wisdom, - This verse doesn't play favorites, and neither does God. If *any* of you lacks wisdom - anyone at all! That means that this verse is talking about you, friend! If you lack wisdom, take heart, because there is an answer for you! There is something to do when you don't know what to do:
he should ask God - Should you first jump on social media? google? WebMD? Should you call your best girlfriend? your mom? your sister? Should you pick up the nearest book or even consult your pastor or counselor? No, you should first and foremost ask God for the wisdom you need. He is the ultimate Source of all wisdom and knowledge, and the best part is that He isn't stingy with it, either!
who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly - This is my favorite part of the whole verse. The Lord yearns to give us the wisdom we need. One version translates this phrase as "liberally and without reproach". He doesn't disdain or disparage our need for wisdom, nor does He guilt or shame us for it. Rather, He eagerly provides us with the wisdom we need, regardless of who we are or what exact wisdom we require.
Another beautiful thing about the wisdom God provides is that it does not change with the changing times, does not differ and confuse us as Google searches and "experts" often do. Rather, His wisdom comes to us clearly. The Greek word translated "generously" or "liberally" is "haplos" and literally means "simply, openly, frankly, sincerely". When God provides us with His wisdom, we know it. There is no second-guessing, no confusion, no misunderstanding. And that's a gift!
and it will be given to him. - Just in case any of us needed to have the point driven further home, it isn't just that God gives to all generously and ungrudgingly when they ask for wisdom, but this verse ends with the reminder that - just in case we were wondering! - wisdom will indeed be given to the one who asks.
Friend, it doesn't matter what you are going through right now, what answers you are seeking, what kind of wisdom you are in need of - whatever it is, when you go to God for it, He promises to provide. And that is a beautiful gift you can bank on every day of your life!
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