Do you ever feel like you are “settling” for mediocre…that you are just cruising by in life, not really striving for more, not trying your hardest to reach your full potential and go after all of the goals God wants you to fulfill, or receive all the rewards He has in store for you?
I recently re-read a passage out of the book The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson that reminded me that it is not only NOT BAD to ask God for more for ourselves, but we are going against God when we fail to ask for more, strive for more and achieve more. In this tiny gem of a book, Bruce encourages us to pray Jabez’ prayer in the Bible: “Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me and that You would keep me from evil.”
Bruce goes on to tell the fable about a Mr. Jones who arrives in heaven; St. Peter shows him inside a warehouse where there are millions of little white boxes stacked inside, all with peoples’ names on them. Mr. Jones asks (against St. Peter’s advice) to see his. Inside he sees all the blessings God wanted to give him but didn’t because he never asked. “That’s the catch – if you don’t ask for God’s blessing, you forfeit those that come to you only when you ask,” he writes. “In the same way that a father is honored to have a child beg for his blessing, your (heavenly) Father is delighted to respond generously when His blessing is what you covet most.”
I have actually prayed the prayer of Jabez and received more book coaching clients and Master Class students! My new mantra for my clients and students next year is going to be “Focus on You in ’22”. (It was “Get Your Book Done in ’21 this year). I believe that God has many riches stored up for us like Bruce says in his book – but we have to go after them, and it’s definitely not selfish to do this. If that means saying no to other things (or even other people) to say yes to yourself and your dream, even if it’s just for a season, than perhaps this is what God’s will is for you right now. If that means you want to write a book, then by all means give me a call! If it means starting a business, expanding your horizons, helping more people, and yes, even making more money (to eventually help or give to others), than go for it! Let me know because I’m sure I know a coach out there to help!
Jesus encourages us to “ask and you shall receive.” He also tells us in the Bible what will happen if we “invest” our talents…we will receive rewards and hear the following from God:
“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21)
