Ask, Just Ask

My father had a saying—“if you don’t ask, you only have one answer.” I try to take that to heart. Sometimes, it is hard to ask, and I have succumbed to that difficulty, having to live with a “no” simply because I would not ask. It’s amazing how many times asking leads to another answer, another way.

In one way, this past Sunday at Annual Conference, it would seem that asking did not lead to another answer. On behalf of the Resolutions committee, I made a motion to suspend the rules so that the body could approach a difficult issue another way, rather than the often rancorous, divisive exchanges that can pass for debate on the floor. The motion did not pass, so it would seem that asking did not lead to another answer, but I am not so sure.

I believe that by raising the prospect of another way, even though it was not chosen, we helped remind people to approach the debate differently—at least some of them. Also, because of the possibility of this other way, there were preparations made that I believe also made a difference.

As a part of the possibility for holy conferencing in small groups, we had prepared crosses made of cardstock. These crosses had been held during the prayers of the people by my congregation, and during our staff meeting. They were imbued with the spirit of prayer for all God’s people. Then on Saturday night, volunteers placed them around the arena to be ready to be used on Sunday morning. As they placed the crosses, they prayed. We walked around the meeting space praying—not for a particular outcome, but for a listening spirit for the Spirit’s presence.

So, Daddy, I followed your rule. I believe it helped. Though my plan did not proceed as intended, God’s Spirit was present. I felt it. I hope others were aware of it as well. The answer was not in the results, but the attitude with which we looked towards the other.

Matthew 7:8

For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.