Because you don't ask

I have been asking God for a better memory. A better memory would be helpful in any number of areas in my life, and in the Kingdom---and you don't have to remind me that God's power is made perfect in weakness because I know that.

I wouldn't have made this request five years ago; memories don't generally improve in your 50s. But there was a guy in college back in the day who condescendingly said to me that he didn't believe in Christianity "because people don't rise from the dead." I don't think the Lord likes that kind of in-your-face arrogant attitude about what is possible.

God does not consider those humble who don't ask for big things. The king of Israel found that out when Elisha instructed him to strike the ground with an arrow for victory over Syria, and he lamely struck it only three times. Elisha was disgusted that the king had not believed or cared enough to go for bigger things.

Isaiah fairly baits Hezekiah to go for something hard from God as a sign of his upcoming healing. God gets more glory that way:

"'This shall be the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing that he has promised: shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps?' 'It is an easy thing for the shadow to lengthen ten steps. Rather let the shadow go back ten steps.' And Isaiah the prophet called to the Lord, and he brought the shadow back ten steps, by which it had gone down on the steps of Ahaz" (2 Kings 20:9-11).

Hezekiah asked for something that just isn't done---like a 57-year-old's memory improving. Why would I ask God only for things that are "realistic"? I am finding that my praying gets more creative and specific and daring the more I start believing God.

"You do not have, because you do not ask" (James 4:2). I didn't write that. The Lord will do as he pleases about my memory. But there is certainly enough in Scripture to embolden me to ask.

To hear commentaries by Andrée Seu, click here.