If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ~ James 1:5-6
James has a sense of humor: “If any of you lacks wisdom.” Is his tongue in his cheek? Does he have a Cheshire cat grin on his face? Surely there are two kinds of people who read this verse:
The humble who say “Yes, Lord, please I need wisdom!”
And the arrogant who say “Nah, I’m all right how I am.” They don’t even have enough wisdom to see their need for wisdom!
We all need the Lord’s wisdom!
When do we sense our lack of wisdom? Of course, we need wisdom to live moment by moment. But we sense our need for it most keenly when we struggle – when we are insecure, in the midst of trials and weary.
But James encourages us with hope: we don’t have to stay there, unmoored and in desperate need. “Ask,” James urges. Asking requires humility to admit that we need him, that we don’t know everything yet it is freeing too.
And thankfully, God does not give like humanity: he “gives generously to all without reproach.” With people, there is sometimes a feeling of obligation when we ask or borrow. The item or money may indeed come to us but laden with stipulations, emotional baggage, leaving us to walk on egg shells. Sometimes, it isn’t worth the asking.
But God is not like that. He gives freely. But he also wants our faith in him, not ourselves. He grants us the chance to cease being tossed by the waves of doubt and insecurity and instead to be moored to the anchor of our souls.
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