He later confessed, “I realized with awful force that no exercise of my own feeble wit and strength could save me from my enemies, and that without the [...]]]> On December 12, 1899, a 25-year-old British cavalry officer made a daring nighttime escape from an enemy prison, but the frightful prospect of imminent recapture soon overwhelmed him.

He later confessed, “I realized with awful force that no exercise of my own feeble wit and strength could save me from my enemies, and that without the assistance of that High Power which interferes in the eternal sequence of causes and effects more often than we are always prone to admit, I could never succeed. I prayed long and earnestly for help and guidance. My prayer, as it seems to me, was swiftly and wonderfully answered.”

After asking God’s help, he then determined to seek refuge in a nearby house. Without knowing whether deliverance or destruction would answer, he anxiously knocked at the door. Winston Churchill thus discovered the only haven within 20 miles and lived to become a world powerhouse.

This story provides a wonderful illustration of Jesus’ threefold admonition: “Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you.” (Mat. 7:7).

And therein are keys to help us decide what’s next in life, an issue I face daily.

ASK WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT GOD WILL ANSWER.

We should first ask God to meet our needs. And if answers aren’t immediately forthcoming, we are to keep on asking. Unfortunately, many of us ask of God but don’t really expect much to happen and soon give up. Nevertheless, we need to ask with the firm belief that Jesus meant what He said: those who ask will receive.

Realize, too, that we can ask wrongly. If needs are not met, we might consider that our asking could be amiss. (James 1:6, 4:3).

SEEK WITH THE CONFIDENCE OF FINDING WHAT YOU NEED.

Have you ever noticed that God sometimes answers prayers in ways we’re not expecting? So we need wisdom to understand what’s really going on. Wisdom must be sought: “If you seek her as silver, and search for her as hidden treasures, then you shall understand….” (Prov. 2:4-5). There’s urgency in this sort of seeking.

Here’s what I do. After asking God to meet my specific needs, I open my Bible and pray something like this: “Heavenly Father, I need for you to speak to me today in a way that I can understand. Is there anything you want to tell me?” Then I read. If I encounter a verse where I believe that He is speaking, I underline it, date it, and jot a short note about what I believe the message is to me. If doubts come later, I can look back and say, “On this day God said….” That brings confidence.

KNOCK WITH THE ASSURANCE THAT GOD IS GOING TO GIVE DIRECTION AT THE RIGHT TIME.

But there’s an additional step. After asking and seeking we will often encounter situations where a decision is required. Do I move forward, or wait? Do I do this or that? These decision points are “doors,” doors that must be tested with a “knock.” Churchill knocked at a physical door, but there are other kinds as well.

Believing they were led of God, the Apostle Paul and his companions endeavored to go into Bythenia, but that door closed to them. Shortly thereafter, however, an unexpected door of opportunity in Macedonia opened. (Acts 16:7-9). So whether a door opens or closes, direction is given in either case.

Deciding what’s next in life is a process whereby an amalgam of perplexities, obscurities and conflicts is gradually refined into clarity we can act upon.

EARLY, EARLY I WILL SEEK HIM

Early, early I will seek Him
Seek Him first, foremost of all.
Heaven’s dew is then the freshest,
That on me His grace may fall.

Seek Him earnestly and often,
Seek Him while He may be found.
Once the hardened heart has softened,
Then we are on praying ground.

Seek Him when your visions perish,
Plans derailed by Satan’s darts.
He’s the One who said He’d cherish
Prayers that spring from humble hearts.

Seek Him when there’s joy abounding,
Blessings showered all around.
Grateful praise too often missing,
Thankful hearts too seldom found.

Seek Him and He’ll not forsake you.
Seek Him on behalf of friends.
Adverse gales that may assail you
He can turn to pleasant winds.

Seek Him first in youthful vigor,
Seek Him ’til life’s at its end.
For our faith cannot grow bigger
Lest we seek Him friend to friend.

Copyright 2009 James McAlister

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We were young and in [...]]]> It hardly seems as seems as if our 37 years together have come and gone so quickly, but sifting through old pictures this past week convinces me that they have. My hair was once black, but what few locks that age and stress have permitted to remain are now decidedly gray.

We were young and in the carefree days of youth, oblivious to the difficulties soon to confront us. But in an instant on December 21, 1972, Jenny's traumatic birth brought the first change to dramatically alter our futures and respective outlooks on life. And unseen to us, other mountains of crisis loomed just over the horizon.

Could we have foreseen the difficulties ahead, we might have decided that the path of pain best be avoided–and then have done so. But the grace of God conceals the future so we might not be fearful and learn to depend on Him to rise to whatever occasion He permits to enter our lives. And He has been faithful to do that, even when we haven't always been faithful to respond properly.

Surprisingly, though, each pain that's been delivered to our door has been balanced by a corresponding joy that would arrive later. If I could just learn to wait for the joy without growing discouraged….

My mother gave us nicknames 37 years ago: Sunshine and Thundercloud. Even a casual observer can tell which is which today! But despite our differences, you have been a faithful mother and wife, one who had endured hardship with a persistent optimism that continues to encourage me. I thank you for that.

You have loved–and continue to love–your children to the fullest. Though Jenny is now gone from us, tonight we'll go to eat at Jasmine's, where Barrett has planned a special treat for our anniversary dinner. He is an extremely diligent worker, one who endeavors to make his employers successful. He learned that from you.

What does the future hold for us? We can't know, but we do have some anticipations for this next phase of life. We look forward together to Barrett's graduation from college, his career, his marriage, his family….

Seven years ago on our 30th anniversary, I had two specific prayers for you. I repeat them here as my continued desire:

1. That the beauty of the Lord our God would be upon you and that He would establish the work of your hands (Psalm 90:17).

2. That He would clothe you with strength and dignity (Proverbs 31:25).

May God bless you–and I love you!
——
Why would I share such personal details? Perhaps to encourage those who think long-term relationships are a steady stream of carefree days and then abandon each other when their idealism doesn't materialize.

In looking back, one thing is clear. Having our lives flexed by the opposing forces of joy and sorrow–even triumph and failure–builds strength and unity that come in no other way.

Copyright 2004 James McAlister

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Teachers are trained to impart knowledge, and many excel. Nevertheless, their efforts are blunted when parents send [...]]]> We recently found a folded paper in an old college textbook. It was a handwritten list, apparently instructions a teacher had once given to her class. The frustrations it expressed were revealing, but how much can a teacher do?

Teachers are trained to impart knowledge, and many excel. Nevertheless, their efforts are blunted when parents send them students with character deficiencies that should have corrected in the home. The teacher who wrote the list obviously cared for her students and wanted them to succeed. But she was seeing the fruit of four deep-rooted attitudes that must have been planted–and flourished–in childhood:

TOMORROW IS AS GOOD AS TODAY.

"If you have six absences, then miss no more. You will be dropped. Assignments from here on out will not be accepted late unless there is an extreme emergency. Pay attention: you have a schedule, so refer to it."

A lazy college student was probably a lazy child.

COMPLETING THE ASSIGNMENT IS GOOD ENOUGH.

"Most of the Shakespeare papers were pathetic. They were too short and said nothing. Put effort into your work. If you want to slap something down, then don't waste my time!"

Going through the motions does not suffice. Just going down a checklist is not enough. Thoroughness and diligence are also required.

IDEAS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN DETAILS.

"Work on how a paper looks. Take a little pride. Work on proofreading. Work on grammar that has been repeatedly marked. Work on development. Take an idea and THINK about it. THEN write so that it is fully developed. Your work must LOOK good."

One of my college teachers set the tone for his course by posing this question: "Is a cow here for herself or for the good of mankind?" Having neither time nor money to waste in such aimless woolgathering, I dropped the class that day. Ideas are important, but there must eventually be enough closure to gather the details into some practical application.

SOMEONE MUST TELL ME WHAT TO DO.

"Journals must have all entries from day one. Do not ask me what should be in there. Put in everything. Get it right the first time; there will be no revisions. If you miss class, get notes from someone so you will know what to write."

Having to be repeatedly told to do the obvious is really no better than doing nothing. Without enough initiative to pick up the ball and run, the best intentions come to naught.

Leaving such attitudes unchecked sets a clear collision course for life. There will be conflicts and struggles in the home, in school, on the job, and in personal relationships. The seeds of success are sown at home… but so are the seeds of failure.

Copyright 2000 James McAlister

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But manhood emerges in words and in deeds: In turning from evil when no one can see, In doing what's right though he must stand alone, In humbling himself by saying "I'm [...]]]> The mantle of manhood is not won by years,
Nor triumphs o'er others, nor even by tears,
Nor shrewdness, nor sharpness, nor "manly" pursuits
Of glittering trophies or glorious fruits.

But manhood emerges in words and in deeds:
In turning from evil when no one can see,
In doing what's right though he must stand alone,
In humbling himself by saying "I'm wrong."

A man has perspective, an eye on the mark
Of life without mixing the light and the dark.
In trials he is thankful, when wronged he forgives.
Deferring to others, he graciously gives.

The world longs for money and power to tap;
But God seeks a man who will stand in the gap.
With strength in his weakness, a Master to please,
A man grows in stature by bowing his knees.

A man knows the battle is not to the strong,
Nor the race to the swift, not might in a throng.
Midst swirling afflictions that come with the quest,
God gives the mantle when men pass the test.

Copyright 1997 James McAlister

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