Here's our short story for the day:
Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. Luke 11:5-8
Let's start off with what this parable is NOT saying. Contrary to some opinions, Jesus is not suggesting that if we nag God enough, He will give us whatever we want in order to shut us up. This is a famous gambit employed by children everywhere with the firm belief that if you ask mom for a cookie repetitively, she will have no choice to to give in. As you can imagine, God's not falling for it. Ask until you're blue in the face. If He has no intention of giving in, it's not gonna happen! So what is the point of this story then? It's not about God's response as much as it is about our actions.
Nobody likes a quitter. I can remember my dad saying those words to me so vividly that my imagination rushes my back to the day I first heard them. I was playing kickball in the alley behind my house with some of the neighborhood kids. I was feeling pretty good that day because it was assured that I would not be picked last (a fate I had experienced often as the fat kid) since I was the one who brought the ball. Sure enough, I found myself picked second, a respectable place, and I was determined to prove that I typically deserved such a high draft spot. That was not to be the case. Now, in all honesty, I was pretty good at kickball. My beefy little legs could wallop that red, rubber ball into the stratosphere. Not that day. No, I played terrible, getting out after out until my team turned against me. Finally, after being screamed at when I struck out (striking out at kickball? Can you imagine the horror?) I had had enough! It was my ball after all! So, in the most cliche action I had undertaken at that point in my life, I took my ball and went home. My Father was surprised that I was back so quickly. I explained what had happened and fully expected sympathy at what I had experienced. Instead, I got "nobody likes a quitter".
At the time, those words devestated me. All I could think was, "nobody likes a jerk either!" (thoughts that I wisely kept to myself) Yet as I've grown, the truth in the sentiment has become quite clear. Quitting gets us nothing! Not satisfaction, not respect, not sympathy! Nothing! When we truly need or want something in our lives, we don't quit, we push on! We explore every option, test ever opportunity, we do whatever is necessary to achieve what we need. And in the process, we develop capabilities, self assurance, and persistence. The journey becomes as rewarding as the goal.
In this short, Jesus is suggesting that we develop spiritual persistence. Quitters don't get what they need! Those who pursue God with audacity and confidence not only find what they are looking for, but the process itself is spiritually transformative. We become the men and women that God desires us to be when we pursue Him with tenacity. And we find that we get what we need in the end, even if it wasn't what we originally asked for. When we chase after Him relentlessly, God always responds abundantly.
So what do you want? What do you need? What are you desperate for God to do in your life? Begin to bang on His door, praying unceasingly for Him to respond. Believe that He rewards those who seek Him with tenacity! In the end, you'll be better for it! Just remember, nobody likes a quitter. (Well, Jesus still likes you, but the rest of us think you're iffy.)
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