Guidance #6—Generous Guidance

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask of God, who gives to everyone generously and without reproach; and it will be given to you. But you should ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:5–6

Even idealists, who see most of the choices they face in the world as black or white, admit some ambiguity. Sometimes the most confident and cognizant of us experience difficulty with choices we face, especially in times of great stress. We need wisdom. We need insight. We need help. We need God. Not only is he not far from us, he also knows what we need before we ask, and he is willing to give us the wisdom we request. In fact, he is eager to help us. He knows how befuddled we are. He knows the limits of our finitude. He knows whether we had a quarrel the night before or ate too much pizza. He does not expect us to know everything or to be able to solve every difficulty on our own. So when we ask for wisdom, he does not reproach or rebuke us. He wants us to succeed. He only requires that we be committed to following his wisdom when he gives it to us, just as all good doctors require of their patients.

Gracious and wise Lord, even before I ask for wisdom, I ask for grace to be fully confident that the guidance you give will be good. And I ask for the courage of commitment, so I can follow where you lead. Amen.