Day 93

Retreat was awesome, Dr. Kim was awesome, I am super sad I missed church on Sunday but God used that day to test my patience and to build me up in other areas (because it was a nightmare of a day). Sora also told me I can still become a member next week so I'm glad!

Feb 1: 1 Kings 1-5
In chapter 3, God inquired newly appointed King Solomon, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." What would your reaction be? It's almost as if you're being granted 1 wish from a genie (photo dedicated to dlaevee's blog), and you can have anything you want...I'm sure most of you know what King Solomon asked for, and it's most definitely different than anything we would ask for:
"So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
I love this passage because it shows me what kinds of things I should ask for and what kinds of things I should be praying about. Instead of seeking out things that will only fulfill my humanistic desires, I should be seeking out things that fulfill God's heavenly desires, things that will glorify his Kingdom. I've been learning more and more how it's not about me, it's all about God. I need to learn to mature as a Christian and be able to understand the greater scheme of things. If something difficult and frustrating is happening in my life (like yesterday), I shouldn't ask God to change my circumstances, I should ask God to change me and to help me develop and mature through it. I'm going to put this into practice by analyzing and being aware of what my prayers are about, making sure to pray more for God and His desires than for my own.
At the end of this passage, God grants Solomon with wisdom as he asked for, but God ALSO grants him with what he did not ask for: riches, honor and a long life. That's how God works...he gives us even more than what we ask for, if what we ask for and what we do will glorify Him.