What do you want from me?

Hey, it’s been a while. The longest break we’ve had in this journey to date. Which I have really appreciated and I hope you have too. I’ve been on quite a personal journey in that time and I’m sure you have too – we add to our life story every day, don’t we……

I’ve started writing again – not this kind of writing but fiction. It’s a big deal for me because I’d had various setbacks in recent months, but I’ve found my voice again and I’m loving it. I’ve also instituted ‘Naff Off Thursdays’ (a friend’s term, not mine) where I shut myself away for six hours and communicate with no one. Ringfencing ‘me-time’ I guess.

And so today, Thursday, I’m in my studio, ready to restart our journey through the Bible with 2 Chronicles. As you’ve probably guessed, I’ll tackle 2 Chronicles just like I tackled 1 Chronicles – why wouldn’t I? That is, reading it all but only commenting on anything that is substantially different to 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings. So who knows how long that will take? Every month is a new adventure.

Actually by chance (if there is such a thing), when I looked up today’s passage, it came up in the Message version of the Bible and I loved the first line –

Solomon son of David took a firm grip on the reins of his kingdom. God was with him and gave him much help.   1 Chronicles 1:1

So on a whim (if there is such a thing), I’m going to read 2 Chronicles in the Message and see if that throws up anything new.

See, I like how it translates ‘the high place’ as ‘the worship centre’ too.

That night God appeared to Solomon. God said, “What do you want from me? Ask.”  1 Chronicles 1;7

If God asked you that question, what would your answer be? What are you desperately in need of right now?

A holiday? A good night’s sleep? A bit more money? A new job? Love? Healing? Relief from anxiety? Courage? Forgiveness?

The list is endless. We are all different so our answers will all be different.

But we can ask. God wants us to talk to Him about what we need. I’m not promising anything…how could I?….but I do know that sharing our needs with God helps, whatever the answer looks like.

So maybe at some point today, imagine God – the all-powerful, mind-blowing Creator God – asking you that question. And see how you respond.

What did Solomon say?

Solomon answered, “You were extravagantly generous with David my father, and now you have made me king in his place. Establish, God, the words you spoke to my father, for you’ve given me a staggering task, ruling this mob of people. Yes, give me wisdom and knowledge as I come and go among this people—for who on his own is capable of leading these, your glorious people?”  1 Chronicles 1:8-10

Love the idea of God as ‘extravagantly generous’ – all the new blessings that every day brings…….

And how often do we struggle with the burden of ‘a staggering task’? Where there seems to be no solution…..where it seems impossible….where we doubt our own strength and experience…..

And I love how he calls the people ‘this mob of people’ and then in the next breath ‘your glorious people’. Sums up people, doesn’t it?

And so of all the things he could ask for, Solomon asks for wisdom and knowledge. Which pleases God a lot.

God answered Solomon, “This is what has come out of your heart: You didn’t grasp for money, wealth, fame, and the doom of your enemies; you didn’t even ask for a long life. You asked for wisdom and knowledge so you could govern well my people over whom I’ve made you king. Because of this, you get what you asked for—wisdom and knowledge. And I’m presenting you the rest as a bonus—money, wealth, and fame beyond anything the kings before or after you had or will have.”  1 Chronicles 1:11-12

So when you ask yourself that question, dig deep. See what comes out of your heart. Don’t settle for the obvious, but search your heart. What is it that you most need right now?

It’s probably not a bar of chocolate or a glass of wine. They are quick fixes for something much deeper. See what I’m getting at?