Ask. Seek. Knock.

I have two beautiful daughters, Leah and Abbie. They have both become amazing women in their own unique ways.
Today, I would love for you to hear the heart of Abbie. Abbie has a passionate love for Jesus and for people, and she is so very gifted when it comes to writing and expressing herself both in words and music. If ever you visit The Lighthouse Church, there is a good chance you will get a glimpse of Abbie doing her thing as a member of our Worship Team. I have given her my column today so that you can be blessed right here and now.
Abbie writes: “I will never forget the first time I heard the song, “Do It Again” by Elevation Worship. In the middle of a crowd of hundreds, with eyes closed, I was in a raging wrestle.
I was in a tug-of-war with God, begging Him to move in a very specific area in my life. You better believe that I was asking, seeking, knocking, so much so, for this one request, that it consumed my every move and thought for days.
I sang the words, “Walking around these walls, I thought by now they’d fall, but you have never failed me yet. Waiting for change to come, knowing the battle’s won—for you have never failed me yet.”
I lifted my hands and outwardly went through every motion I could possibly think of, all the while fighting for my way, for what my heart was longing for. Come on Lord, I know you can do this, I sang, “Your promise still stands. Great is your faithfulness. I’m still in your hands, this is my confidence—you’ve never failed me yet.”
I sang these words and tried to convince myself that I was going to win the wrestle with the Lord because I was singing the songs and believing He would do it—because I knew He could do it.
Am I the only one who has been this broken and flat-out desperate?
It wasn’t until this past week while reading Matthew 7 that this night of wrestling re-emerged in my memories. Oh, how the Father knows best. Present tense. Action-packed words.
Matthew 7:7-11
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”
Ask, to pray persistently. Prayer is a continual pattern of our very lives as believers. With each whispered word, prayer releases control to our Father. Surrendering to His will and perfect way—trusting Father knows best.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 tells us to pray without ceasing—to be in constant communication, aware of the Lord’s presence at all times. Like any personal relationship—communication is essential.
Seek—an active waiting; a hope-filled expectancy pursuing the will of Father God.  Seeking involves cultivating faithfulness—knowing that you will find Him.
“Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in the hard times; pray all the harder.” Romans 12:12 / the Message
Knock—come openly and confidently to Father; boldly approaching His throne, because of Jesus. With knocking comes perseverance, a steady hand, a firm ground.
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” Hebrews 4:16
How often, though, have I marched to Father—asking, seeking, and knocking for the temporary? I satisfy myself with Holy Spirit, asking Him to hold me over until I get what I actually came asking for—relationships, peace, resolution, adventure, career change, state change. These things are not “bad,” but in the posture of my heart, I was settling for grace until my heart held out for temporary gifts–which is sin.
That night of wrestling during Worship, I had my own desires in the front focus, and like a child, I kept asking until I felt like I would get my way. I knew what Father was asking me to do as I sang the song of surrender. (And deep in my heart I think I even wanted what He was asking. I knew I would make it through any earthly heartache because the Lord is who He says He is and He is faithful and without fail.) But I was being stubborn. I knew I needed to take the risk and step of faith and walk away from all that was comfortable and familiar.
“How much more will the Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” More important than any earthly blessing—Power, Guidance, Advocate, Comforter. Weaved in the asking, in the seeking, in the knocking—there is a confident and expectant heart, focused on Father. These verbs are a consistent active response to the gospel—continually giving ourselves back to Father.
Isn’t it ingrained in each of us, that we long to be honest and vulnerable without fear of shame or rejection? Isn’t there true freedom found in this kind of love? And can’t we find that love and freedom offered in each piece of the Gospel?
I think of the moments when I am living most free. These moments are always when I am living most enveloped in Christ’s love and living a life to honor Him. “Freedom is not about doing whatever we want most—but the opportunity to do what is most Christ-like” Ann Voskamp . Friends, as you ask, seek, and knock—with a heart that delights in God–you will desire what is right and just. And you won’t want to settle for your own plan when Father has a greater plan beyond your wildest dreams awaiting you. “Jesus You are still enough, keep me within your love, my heart will sing your praise again.” His ways and thoughts are not only better, but His way leads to life abundant. Jesus is ever before me. Continually I will Ask. Seek. Knock. Expectant. He will do it again.”
ED. NOTE: The author is the senior pastor of The Lighthouse Church, 1248 Route 9 South, Court House.