Ask Him

“You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” John 14:14

Like most people nowadays, I often find myself doom scrolling, mindlessly flipping through videos. There were points when we first started going back to church that I would look for or just happen upon Christian content creators, sharing their experiences or “tips” on how to grow closer to God but I would just find myself more confused. There were many times that I would jump the gun, so to speak, and do the absolute most without actually following or seeking Jesus. I thought I was doing great, and I had this Christian thing secured. That was until I was unwittingly called out at church for having Christian values but not necessarily following Jesus.

                I was so confused because my entire life I had identified myself as a Christian. I knew Jesus, I believed in Jesus, wasn’t that enough? What was I missing? How does one have a real relationship with Jesus? Let me point you to the scripture above. John 14:14 is a popular scripture, often quoted quite frequently when people are giving advice on what to pray for. If you are unfamiliar with the Bible, the book of John is one of the gospels that details Jesus’s life and His mission (this is a really general description, btw) but this isn’t the first time in the Bible that laying something before God is mentioned. Another time that it’s mentioned is back in the Old Testament, in the book of Nehemiah, thousands of years before Jesus was born.

“Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” Nehemiah 1:11

                In the story of Nehemiah, Nehemiah was a Jew who was living in exile in Persia and had never been to Jerusalem but had a big, God-like dream to restore the wall that gave them protection. He presented his dream before the Lord and though it wasn’t instantaneous, God granted Nehemiah his dream. So, if God can open this door for Nehemiah, giving him the strength and determination for this dream to come to fruition, don’t you think that He can grant your prayer of a relationship with Him?

                One thing about me is that I love a good personal testimony. I remember watching one video from Caitlin Childs (@childsatheart on Tiktok) where she explained this time in her life where she was lacking faith and God had revealed to her that she could ask Him for it. Isn’t that crazy? It changed my entire perspective on my personal relationship with Jesus. As much as it seems like common sense now, I didn’t know that you could just ask Jesus for things like faith, wisdom, repentance, etc. I thought you already had to have those things and God would be disappointed if you didn’t have them. Before that video, I would beat myself up and feel so shameful if I wasn’t a “good noodle” or the representation of a Christian that I thought I had to be to get my prayers answered.

                To be honest, there are still things that I do struggle with, but I remember that I serve a God who is good and faithful. He knows my heart and knows when I’m struggling to have faith in Him, even when He consistently proves that He is. Time and time again, He proves that I can trust in Him and His word. And you can too. Open your heart and ask Him to spend the day with you because at the end of the day, that is all that He wants. To have a relationship with His children. There was a day, just last year, I believe before me and my husband got married, that he was really frustrated with his connection with Jesus, he had been doing all the “right things” but still felt there was something missing.

                It’s funny how God works sometimes because just before this conversation, I remember watching a clip of a sermon where the speaker said that all Jesus wants is for you to invite Him in,

“Here I am, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Revelation 3:20

We were having this conversation on the way to work, and I remember turning to my husband and telling him that it was that simple. Jesus just wants you to invite Him into your day and allow Him to spend the day with you. Don’t worry about what you should or shouldn’t be doing, just be in community with Him and let Him work that out when it’s time. I looked over and saw that he had a tear running down his face and he said at that moment everything that he had been struggling with, been confused and frustrated about just clicked into place. He said that he had never felt confirmation like he did in that moment and from then on, his approach to his relationship with Jesus changed.

Believe me, I am not one to give advice or tips on anything. All I can share is my personal testimony and the one within my marriage. Is following Jesus hard? Absolutely. I cannot think of anything that has been more difficult in my life but for one, I can tell you that it’s worth it. For two, I can tell you that it takes baby steps. Are you going to be preaching on the sidewalk? Maybe someday but not today. Are you going to lay hands on people or cast out demons? Perhaps but in God’s timing. For right now, all I can tell you is to open your heart to God and let Him take the reins.

                He is the Creator of everything good. Not only that, but He has also already been before us and declared victory, so He knows what He’s doing. So, if you are or were like me or my husband, take a big breath and relax. There is an enemy out there that absolutely does not want you to have a relationship with Jesus and will throw fear, lies, and anxiety in your way to trick you into thinking that God is not good, or that God does not have your best interest. Even if you’re mad at God, if you’re too ashamed of your past, if you’ve never considered having a relationship with Him; ask Him.

                Ask Him to spend the day with you.

                Ask Him for a relationship.

                Ask Him to soften your heart.

                Ask Him.

                “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Lord, I have so much gratitude for You today. For this opportunity to keep writing, for the experiences me and Kardde have had with You, and even our trials because it opens the door for us to share what You have delivered us from. It allows us to glorify Your name and prayerfully reach people who are struggling the same way we were. I pray that whoever reads this, whether they don’t have a relationship with you, if they are curious, or if they are struggling in their relationship, that you bless these words and let them soften their hearts. I pray that the Holy Spirit nudges them to open up a conversation with You and You show them how much they are loved and wanted in the Kingdom of Heaven. Show them that you are standing at their door and knocking and all that they have to do is open the door to let You in. Thank You, Jesus, for leaving the ninety-nine and chasing after us when we are the one. In Your name we pray. Amen.