Ask, Seek, Knock, June 19
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by Justin Wood
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8 NIV).
When an oncology doctor or nurse was in the room giving instructions, my mom furiously wrote down everything into her notebook. She would have them repeat words, spell medical terms, and answer questions. When my mom was finished writing, the doctor or nurse might turn to leave, but my mom had not yet dismissed them. She would flip through the notebook to a previous page and then cross check what this doctor said against what the previous doctor said. She would seek to clarify. If there were any discrepancies, she would not stop until the issue was resolved. Then she would dismiss the good doctor.
Now I can laugh about my mom’s asking, seeking, and knocking when I had cancer as a child, but her diligence may have saved my life. My mom demonstrated the exact nature that Jesus teaches in this passage.
Jesus’ principles of asking, seeking, and knocking apply to every area of life: spouse, career, cancer, etc. Everything. Any difficulty you have can be solved with this approach.
Of course, you have to first realize that there is a problem. We don’t have time to look at all of Jesus’ sermon here, but Jesus spends Matthew chapters five, six, and seven dealing with problems we have in life. He tackles the hard issues like adultery, anxiety, jealousy, hypocrisy—and the list goes on. Jesus is ready to tackle your problems, and thankfully, He has given you this process for finding solutions. You can apply this to every issue—including cancer.
First, you have to ask persistently. One question is probably not enough to achieve solutions. You may have to ask repeatedly and to many people. An example in a cancer journey is dealing with insurance issues: you will probably need to call multiple offices … with long holds … with no quick answers. Jesus promises that when we ask, we will receive.
Second, you have to seek consistently. This means we must be willing to move around and examine things. Moreover, the Greek word for “seek” can also mean to worship God. In seeking, we must look to others, especially to God. Jesus promises that when we seek, we will find.
Lastly, you have to knock passionately. We are demanding that someone else become involved. I can ask and seek from my own home, but I don’t knock to enter my own home. Knocking means that you are entering into someone else’s space. As Jesus leads you, continue to knock.
As the mother of a child with cancer, I’d think there were days my mom wanted to stay in bed and cover her head with a blanket. Cancer can do that. It can make you think that it is filled with doors that cannot be opened—but it’s not. Christ’s door will always open to you. Read the verse. Believe the verse. Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking.
Pray: Jesus, give me the strength and patience to ask, seek, and knock. Amen.
Your Turn: What issue or problem do you need to address? To whom or where do you need to begin by asking? What is keeping you from asking?
Justin Wood, Childhood Cancer Survivor
Justin lives in Bowling Green, Kentucky with his wife and six homeschooled kids. Through his life, Justin has become a wonderful mix of entrepreneur, English teacher, and foreign missionary. He is a survivor of childhood cancer. Justin is very grateful for Cancer Companions and the opportunity to be a part of this devotional writing process.
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