Ask, seek, knock

Luke 11:9-10 for me is one of the most mis-understood passages in the Bible. We stop with the part where it says "ask and you shall receive." SO there's my problem, I don't have everything I want or need because I haven't asked yet. Problem solved, I asked it will be here tomorrow.
"So I say to you: 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; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."
Jesus makes several statements here, but there are 3 words to focus on. Ask, seek and knock. One of those alone will not do the trick. Jesus is telling us to ask, talk to God and let him know what your desires are. He knows them already, but it is important that we voice them to Him on a regular basis.
Seek, seeking involves active praying. You can't just pray once and call it seeking. Seeking out God's will is a process that changes you on a daily or weekly basis. I can honestly say that I don't pray the same, or even for the same things I did even just a year ago. Why? Because God has changed my desires through my prayer life not the other way around. I think far too often we think of the widow who wore down the judge in one of Jesus' stories. She plead so often that finally the judge gave her the freedom she had plead for so many times. Prayer to God is different, in that He will change us as we seek His will.
But we have to knock. If you are really looking for someone you don't just knock on their door and if they don't answer walk away. We knock again or ring the door bell. If we want to get inside of God's will for ourselves we must knock, ask and actively seek it. As we do so our prayer life, our relationship with Him and our lifestyles will change drastically.
Here's how I heard it explained one time. God does not have to be waked or cajoled into giving us what we need--many gifts he bestows on teh ungodly and ungrateful; but his choicest blessings are reserved for those who will value them and who show their appreciation by asking until they receive. I think that pretty much sums it up for us.
So remember, ask, seek and knock and God will with time reveal to you His perfect and pleasing will for your life.
have a great weekend!