When we read the Bible it is important to get in the mind
of the sacred author. For
instance, when you heard Jesus’ words, “…it
is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than
for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God…”
you probably imagined this big animal trying to pass through the eye of a
sewing needle. That is not the
comparison Jesus used.
In
the time of Christ, travel was often made by camel. Thieves and hoodlums were a constant danger for travelers
and men needed to be defend themselves and their goods. One of the places they sought for
protection was in a cave with a small opening—the eye of the needle. They would go inside and back their
camel into the opening to prevent the would-be-robber from entering.
I
would like to apply this metaphor to our prayer life. Imagine you are the one trying to get a treasure—a desire or
intercession—in the cave. There
seems to be a barrier (the camel) between you and your desire. What should you do? You should ask to answer (ie. present
your petition to the Lord). God
may answer yes and allow you in. He may say no and at that point it is time to find a different cave! Finally, God may say not yet and encourage you to patience.
In prayer, “for
God all things are possible.” He always hears our prayers, though the answer may not always
be the one we want.
For many years I prayed constantly to know God’s will
for my life. Would I be a
priest? Would I get married and
find a career? This desire permeated
my prayer life and at times it felt impossible to know which way to go. Praise God, through patience God made
known—over several years—His will for me.
Continue to present your petitions to the Lord. Know that He always answers our prayers
and that for God, all things are
possible.
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