Without Finding Fault…

“...you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault…” At first glance, that little phrase was something of an enigma to me. Why would there be any fault in asking for wisdom? Then the answer struck me: “remember your first real job.” I was working in an office at age 22 trying to seem like a real grown-up, like I had it all together. But in reality, I felt like I was starring in one of those movies where the kid somehow ends up in a grown-up’s body. Needless to say, I had NO IDEA what I was doing. Yet, I felt this stigma about asking my wise older colleagues for help. I would rather spend hours of needless effort figuring something out the hard way than to just ask a simple question. I confess, this was all based in my own distorted perception and insecurity. But, I wonder if I am the only one. How often does our skewed perspective or insecurity inhibit us from asking for wisdom?

I tell that story to lead us back to our verse. God does not find fault with us when we ask him for wisdom. Quite the opposite is true! In fact, he generously gives it to us, because he desires for us to ask. You see, because God really is God, and he made each of us, he intimately understands our limitations. Moreover, he is not some exacting “dictator of the universe” requiring what he knows we cannot give him. Rather, as a loving Father, he is ever devoted to bringing us along and helping us in our process of maturation. Ironically, the wisest course of action is always to first recognize our lack of wisdom, and then to ask God for his.

What is holding you back from asking God for wisdom?