Before cars became rolling computers, a new owner could simply slide into the driver’s seat, turn the key, put it in gear, and scoot down the road in seconds. Today, sitting in the driver’s seat of a new vehicle for the first time can feel intimidating. There are seat adjustments to personalize, control buttons to locate, user profiles to set up, and countless other settings to learn. Did you know some new cars can be started with just a fingerprint?
To ease the anxiety that comes with all the gadgets, dealers willingly hop into the passenger seat to give new owners an overview. They want them to know how to get started and where to find additional help. They give their learners a card with their phone number on it because they understand that learning is a process and there will be more questions later.
When Jesus began His “Sermon on the Mount,” found in Matthew 5-7, He gave His disciples and us an overview of what it means to have a relationship with God. In chapter 5, He started with a progressive list of attitudes we should develop. First, we humble ourselves by admitting our need for a Savior. Recognizing this, we can mourn over our inability to be right with God on our own. This fosters a humble spirit that soon hungers and thirsts for more. The more grace and mercy we receive, the more mercy we willingly give to others. By looking outward for ways to help instead of focusing on ourselves, our hearts become pure and peaceful. This peace helps us endure any persecution that comes our way.
Next, Jesus teaches that outward actions are meaningless unless they flow from genuine, heartfelt love. Maintaining a close relationship with God helps us avoid hurting others. Giving, praying, and fasting are useful, readily available tools when our spiritual progress slows.
Finally, Jesus concludes His teaching with a promise of life in the Kingdom for everyone who chooses to follow Him and turns all their self-righteous ‘have-to’s’ into sincere ‘want-to’s.’ However, just before ending, He offers one more short but profound list for His disciples. “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8 NLT)
Ask, and you will receive? To some, that might sound like God is a heavenly Santa Claus, ready to give us whatever we ask for. But we’ve all repeatedly asked God for things He hasn’t given. We wanted healing, but it didn’t happen. We wanted a new job, but it didn’t come around. We want. We want. We want. God loves us too much to give us everything we think we want. Instead, like a good Father, He gives us what we need. Even better, He transforms what WE want into what HE wants for us. That’s a huge difference!
What if we humbly, like those poor in spirit, asked to receive more of Him? He is always ready to give us more (no matter how long we’ve walked with Him). Jesus said, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.” (Luke 12:31) He meets all our needs.
What if we passionately, like the hungry and the thirsty, sought to be filled to the brim with more of Him? Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35) He fully satisfies.
What if we courageously, like those admitting their past mistakes and longing to escape worldly troubles, knocked on God’s door of freedom? Jesus said, “I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:9-10)
Jesus patiently and eagerly lets us ride with Him as we go through life. He wants to teach us how everything works. He encourages us to keep asking, seeking, and knocking. When we do, we continue to receive, find, and even have the door opened for us. He wants to be our teacher, our navigator, our mechanic, and our gadget finder. Best of all, He wants our spiritual engines revved by the fingerprints of God and our tanks filled with the Holy Spirit. He’s already paid for everything and is in charge of driving, so let the fresh wind blow, let the good times roll, and just breathe!
