Ask God

It is said that some of the first words children learn are ‘why’ and ‘what’, because as infants and toddlers we are in a constant state of discovery. Every parent understands the situation. Loving parents answer every question like it is the most important question. God is a loving parent.

The disciples were full of questions, but they were afraid to ask. God knew what they wanted to ask, so He lovingly removes their fear and answers their questions. Today’s passage ends with a promise. If we ask the Father in the name of Jesus Christ, we will receive our answer.

The Lord said to his disciples, “All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. A little while, and you will see me no more; again a little while, and you will see me.” Some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” They said, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he means.” Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him; so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’? Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is in travail she has sorrow, because her hour has come; but when she is delivered of the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being is born into the world. So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day, you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.”

John 16.15-23

Here’s the thing. If you have been Christian even for one day, then you know we don’t always receive from God what we ask from Him. Does that mean God broke His promise? This must have been a question the early Church also struggled to answer.

You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

James 4.3

The greater context of Saint James’ response is about our struggle between worldly things and heavenly things. Saint James, who heard the promise of Jesus in today’s Gospel lesson, understood that if we focus on the world then we aren’t friends with God.

If we aren’t friends with God, are we ‘really’ asking the Father in the name of Jesus Christ, or are we using God to ‘get our way’ in the world? The commandment of God is to ‘leave’ the world for heaven. How could we even ‘want’ something that would solidify our worldly chains?

Here’s a better question. Instead of asking God ‘for’ something, ask Him to help you understand why ‘that something’ is something you should even have in the first place. We cannot exhaust God by asking Him ‘why’, because He wants us to know Him and to love Him.

God knows if ‘that something’ is good for us. He knows if we ‘need’ it. He knows if it will help us or hurt us in our journey to salvation. He wants us to know too. So, ask God ‘why’ all you want. He will answer you. Then, the only thing left is to accept the answer is what is best.

Don’t be afraid to ask God when you are confused about His will for you. Don’t be afraid to ask God to help you see yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask ‘why’. God loves you more than you know how to love. He will never hurt you. He may challenge you, but He will never hurt you.