There I was, standing in front of the vending machine again, rummaging in my purse for correct change so I could buy water. I’d left my own water bottle at home on the counter. As I shoved my money in, I hoped it would deliver.
I sometimes look at God that way, as some sort of divine vending machine. I know what I want to get from Him, and I know it’s in there somewhere. Now what do I have to do to get Him to give it to me? Catch up on my Bible reading? Pray? Fast? Make some resolutions to do or not do things I know are right or wrong? Meanwhile, I’m waiting for my quarter to drop and my hunger to be satisfied.
But God is not like an impersonal vending machine. He comes to us as the Divine Host. Not only is He aware of all our hungers, He also designed those very hungers to bring us to His table. Do we lack wisdom? Then ask. Do we lack food or clothing? Ask. Do we need friends or work or help or healing? Ask your heavenly Father, who does not hold back, but “gives generously to all without finding fault.”