Listen:
“Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?” (Luke 11:12)
Reflect:
As I read this, my mind wanders, hmmm, I like eggs, I can eat them most any way: poached, fried, ajitsuke tamago… eggs are an acceptable food in most cultures too. When Jesus preached to his disciples with their varied backgrounds, surely an egg is an egg, period? Surely, a child asks for one out of hunger, as food, not as a toy.
A scorpion, on the other hand, evokes fear, pain, poison. If you’ve ever stepped on one hiding in a shoe or under shade, you will have fear of it for life. A scorpion sting may cause scorpionism, a medical condition that in serious cases will lead to death. Now, giving a scorpion to a child asking for food is unthinkable. If someone asks us for water, would we give them poison? If someone asks me for something of basic necessity, would I mock them instead, and hurt them?
Jesus reminds us, even an imperfect parent would not do so, intentionally harm one’s own child asking for help in hunger. Surely a good and powerful God will do what is right. As our Father (to whom we pray, as Jesus taught earlier), what will God do, then? God, whose name is love? If I ask for patience, will He give me anger instead? If I ask for justice, mercy, peace, will He turn away?
So what do I need to ask of God today, of greatest necessity? And what is being asked of me today, from loved ones, colleagues, the person in the street, my own spirit, of great need?
And how, in His great mercy, will God answer me, today?
How, in the Spirit’s wisdom, will I answer others, today?
Prayer of Response:
Father, thank you that you first loved us, that we may love others through your love. Help us to bring a need to you today, one that is pressing on our hearts. Help us to bring comfort to someone in need this week, that they may know you love them. And as we continue to seek and ask and knock and pray, help us to see and grasp on to hope and light, despite not knowing what is ongoing for a door to be opened. In the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, in Your love, and in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Questions to Ponder:
- What is pressing on my heart at the moment, of basic need? Be it friendship, or finances, pick up a piece of paper and write it down as a prayer to God.
- Who is asking me today for something of basic need? Ask for light and wisdom to respond in basic capacity, a call, a note, a meal, to one person today.
Breath Prayers:
Join us in praying breath prayers each day. We invite you to write your own as well.
Inhale (Breathe in): Lord in your mercy,
Exhale (Breath out): Hear my prayer.
Inhale (Breathe in): Lord in your wisdom,
Exhale (Breathe out): Help me hear another’s need.
Submitted by: Kae Ting Trouilloud
Kae lives in Lyon, France, and is thankful for the lack of scorpions in her home area! She rejoices with the Lifesprings community, who listens together for God’s wisdom to respond graciously to needs in their communities. She is serving with Lifesprings France and enjoys eggs in many forms, please feel free to contact her with your favourite egg recipe!