Journeying to Grace

After hearing last weekend’s readings (especially 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12), one image stayed with me, so I spent some time prayerfully revisiting the exchange Solomon had with the Lord in a dream. It was a true conversation in that they both spoke, and they both listened. But at the heart of the conversation was the statement the Lord greeted Solomon with, ‘Ask something of me and I will give it to you.’ (1 Kings 3:5) What would we say to that? We pray to the Lord and have in depth and heartfelt conversations with Him, but I don’t think I have ever considered a chat quite like this. It feels a little different, and I think it’s different because if we were to have that conversation, in addition to being reflective, we would have to be aware and most importantly – honest.

Our reply wouldn’t be for something material or for personal gain – to be of the Lord and answer His call to share in His mission, that’s not what we seek. But do we always know or recognize what we need to fulfill the mission we’ve been called to? Do we take some prayerful time to be aware and truly look at ourselves to acknowledge what we do well and what we still need help with? Are there areas in our lives which prevent us from being fully committed to serving with our whole heart? Are we asking for His help and guidance to make us the best you and me we can be? It’s good to bring those questions to prayer, and the Lord awaits our conversation, but to truly hear the answers, we may be helped by praying for the grace of honesty. Honesty about what we can and what we cannot do, honesty about what we feel, and honesty about the obstacles in our way. Solomon was quite aware of what he had been called to do, but he knew at that time he needed help to be successful and pleasing to God. Though he accepted the task before him, he acknowledged his weaknesses and sought attributes that would both help him fulfill his mission and become a better leader.

This incredible encounter with the Lord is an invitation for us to look deeply in our own hearts. Comforted by the Lord’s grace and strengthened in His love, we accept our vital role in serving His mission to build the Body of Christ. And like Solomon, it is for us to speak and to listen in our conversation with the Lord as we seek the gifts of faith and strength that only He can give us.