“There’s Wisdom in the Asking…”

Hey Friends! Happy Pie Day/Friday!

You ever have one of those moments where life just feels like a tangle? Like you’re standing at a crossroads, and every direction looks equally foggy, and you’re just whispering to yourself, “What do I do here?” Maybe it’s a decision about a job, or a relationship that’s fraying at the edges, or maybe it’s just the quiet ache of not knowing how to keep going when everything feels heavy. We’ve all been there, haven’t we? That place where the questions outnumber the answers, and you’d give anything for a little clarity.

And then there’s this line, tucked into the opening of James, this little letter in the New Testament that feels like a friend sitting across from you at a coffee shop, leaning in close. James 1:5. It says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Just sit with that for a second. Let it wash over you. If any of you lacks wisdom. That’s all of us, right? I mean, who hasn’t felt that—at some point, on some day, in some messy moment? James doesn’t start with a lecture or a list of rules. He doesn’t say, “Get your act together first.” He just says, If you’re coming up short, if you’re stuck, if you don’t know which way to turn—ask.

And who do you ask? God. But not some distant, arms-crossed, judgmental God who’s keeping score. No, this is a God who gives generously to all without finding fault. That phrase—it’s like a warm breeze on a cold day. Generously. To all. Without finding fault. It’s not a transaction. It’s not a test. It’s an invitation.

What if that’s true? What if wisdom—this beautiful, elusive thing we’re all chasing—isn’t something you have to earn or prove yourself worthy of? What if it’s already there, waiting for you, like a gift with your name on it, and all you have to do is say, “Hey, I need some help here”?

Because that’s what James is getting at. He’s not talking about wisdom like it’s a trivia contest or a PhD. This isn’t about being the smartest person in the room. This is about the kind of wisdom that helps you navigate the mess—the kind that whispers, “You’re not alone in this,” or “Here’s the next step, even if it’s small.” It’s the wisdom that meets you in the tangle and says, “We’ll figure this out together.”

And the best part? James says it will be given to you. Not “maybe” or “if you’re good enough.” It’s a promise. Like the God who’s holding all of this—the stars, the oceans, the chaos of your Tuesday afternoon—looks at you and says, “I’ve got you. Ask me. I’m not stingy with this stuff.”

So maybe today, wherever you are, whatever you’re carrying, you just pause. Take a breath. And ask. It doesn’t have to be fancy. It can be as simple as, “God, I don’t know what to do here—can you show me?” And then watch. Listen. Trust that something’s coming—maybe not a billboard with neon lights, but a nudge, a peace, a little flicker of light in the fog.

Because you’re not alone in the tangle. And wisdom?
It’s not as far away as you think.
It’s right there, waiting for you to reach out.
Generously. Freely. No fault required.

What if you asked today? What might open up?
Grace & Peace.
-Pastor Scott.