Push the Button
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave in the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." James 1:5-8
There is a handicapped door at our public library. I would be as bold as to say that my kid loves it just as much as she does the books that wait inside. She runs up, presses the big button, and watches the door swing open. Sometimes, the door is being worked on. Sometimes when she presses the button, nothing happens. Then, together, we have to pry it open to get inside. Other times, the actual frame is being painted and we have to use an entirely different door. But she always races to that button to give it a go.
Whether the button works or not, my kid never doubts that we're going to get inside. Pressing the button is just the first step to figuring out which way is best. She is never afraid to press the button, knowing that she's going to get to where she's going no matter what method she may need to employ to make it happen. Still, she knows that for her, the button is the place to start.
Sometimes, I imagine God watching all of us and waiting for us to press the button while we're so busy agonizing over whether or not something is, "in His will" or "in His plan" or frankly, "in the cards" when we're feeling less likely to over-spiritualize everything. We go about things all backwards by being so afraid that we've convinced ourselves that God surely doesn't want us to be button pushers. That would be presumptuous. That would be acting out of our own accord. That would be, well, scary. When all He's asking us to do to is stick our fingers out in faith that He'll open the door that needs opening. But we have to do the pressing. Or else, we'd have no free will. We'd have no choices. We wouldn't be....free. Isn't He so good?
So, ask for wisdom and EXPECT to be given it. Don't doubt the Holy Spirit's leading inside of you. And you know what? Whatever you've been on the fence about? Today's the day to push the button.
Want a new job but are afraid to apply? Push the button.
Want to pursue the next step in your career? Your relationship? Your living situation? Push the button.
That cute girl in your class you've wanted to ask for coffee? Push the button.
Want to move across the country, buy a VW bus and sell tacos out of the trunk? PUSH THE DAMN BUTTON.
It's God's business to open the doors. We have to have faith to push the button.