More than what I wanted
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” … He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. (Acts 3:6-8)
God knows best what you want. If you are to ever pray a good prayer, it should be one in line with God’s will; what you want is not all that God has in store for you – He has more than what you want. The lyrics of Cece Winan’s age-old hit song tell in poetic love language the whole excitement of ‘More than what I wanted’:
I wasn’t looking, all the colors were gray
It’s hard to notice, when you’re out in the rain
All of a sudden, colors are starting to change
You brought the light now the darkness is gone
The search is over, now I know you are the one
Somebody tell me, where did an angel come from
‘Cause you’re more than just the one;
Yeah, you’re more than what I wanted…
The man who was lame from birth as recounted in Acts 3 would well identify with the above lyrics. He was carried daily to the gate to beg from those entering the Temple, and always expected money. Doubtlessly he did not receive from everyone, but some gave him something, and that was his livelihood. He expected no more from Peter and John. To his disappointment, Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have’; that must have sunk the man’s heart to hopelessness; but Peter had not yet finished his speech, and God had in store for this man more than he ever wanted. When the man was healed in Jesus’ Name, it was excitement beyond words – he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
In another episode in Matthew 15, Jesus found more than he expected – great insistent and enduring faith and prayer in a Canaanite woman! Her request for the daughter’s healing was granted, and for us her legacy of faith was recorded. When Jesus comes checking, how much faith does he find in you? How much fruit? How much commitment to service? He will either find more than he expected, or be disappointed when he finds much less! Yet it is this faith and openness to the Lord that will unlock blessings galore – more than you want.
Back to the man once lame but now healed: we learn that our expectations and the ‘silver and gold’ we seek are much less than the blessings God has in store for us. We have this motivation to seek the Giver more than the gifts, and from his storehouses in heaven, He will download the best, beyond your imagination. Cultivate the habit of praising the Lord with all liberty of expression in celebration of this knowledge and all the great things He has done.
God bless you all.