We all experience confusion in our lives at one time or another. We all have questions or concerns with which we grapple. We may be faced with a major challenge that requires a decision on our part. Perhaps we are considering a career change or a move for our family. Sometimes we feel tugged to grow spiritually or move in a different direction in our relationship with God, but aren't sure which direction to travel. Whatever our dilemma, it all starts with a question. The old saying ''necessity is the mother of invention'' could be rephrased as ''questions are the mother of inspiration.'' If we never ask, we'll never receive. If we never knock, the door won't be opened. If we don't seek, we won't find. So as painful and confusing as our moments of indecision may be, they are the beginning of greater things to come if we diligently seek, knock and ask.
Many people go through this life believing that there are no answers, that we're just here to do the best we can and whatever path we take is just fine
sort of a ''go with the flow'' philosophy. They believe that God doesn't intend for us to have answers to our perplexing questions about life, about Him, or about how we should live. And it is true that there are some questions that may not be answered until the next life, but I believe that this is more the exception than the norm on important matters that are dear to our hearts. Why else would there be over two dozen verses in the New Testament alone that admonish us to ask with the promise that the Lord will answer?
If we are not meant to have answers, why does Psalm 37:23 tell us that ''The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD'' if we are not meant to have and know the path that is right for us? So when we lack wisdom, direction and answers, what should we do? James 1:5-6 gives the answer, ''If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.''
What does it mean to ''ask in faith, nothing wavering?'' Expect an answer. The Lord promises to answer, so we must have faith in Him, listen and wait expectantly for His answer. Sometimes the answer comes immediately. Sometimes it comes later in the day. But perhaps the reason why many people believe we can't have answers is that they often don't come immediately. Sometimes we must wait weeks, months or even years to gain the wisdom we need or the request we ask. Isaiah 28:13 explains, ''But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.''
Has someone ever turned a bright light on over your head when you were sleeping? What does that do to your eyes? It's shocking isn't it? It hurts because it forces your eyes to re-adjust immediately to the influx of light. Usually your first response is to duck your head back under the covers where it's nice and dark. I believe that spiritually speaking, the Lord has to train most of us ''line upon line'' and ''precept upon precept'' because the shock of the full force of His light would overwhelm us and send us fleeing back into the darkness where it's comfortable. Thus as Ps. 27: 14 admonishes, ''Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.''
As the Lord feeds us ''precept upon precept and line upon line'' our job is to accept and live true to the light and knowledge that we're being given. In Matthew 13:10-16, Jesus' disciples asked Him why he spoke in parables. He answered, ''Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand
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''For this peoples heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.''
If we are not willing to see, hear and do what the Lord is telling us, can we expect to receive more? If we close our minds and shut off the possibilities shut off the mysteries, can we ever expect to gain the wisdom we lack? Remember, that ''the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God.'' (1 Corinthians 3:19) And the corollary of that is true as well
sometimes the wisdom of God looks foolish to the world. To paraphrase Proverbs 3:5-6, we must, ''trust in the LORD with all our heart; and lean not upon our own understanding. In all our ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct our paths.''
My challenge to each of us is to give our hearts to ''seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven'' (Eccl. 1: 13) ''for God giveth to a man (or woman) that which is good in His sight: wisdom, and knowledge, and joy'' (Eccl. 2: 26). I testify to you that the answers are out there! Ask, seek, and knock persistently and in faith, and open your mind to God's infinite possibilities.
Marnie L. Pehrson is a wife, mother of 6, founder of SheLovesGod.com, and author of both inspirational Christian titles such as 
