The LORD says, “I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am!’ to a nation that did not call on my name.” ISAIAH 65:1 (NLT)

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You are an expert in something. You have invested your ten thousand hours in some pursuit and can easily advise others in that area. You can read more about the ten thousand hour idea here: [https://bit.ly/2RY0VCy].

You can also read a number of articles which enjoy pointing out that this rule is more of a guideline [https://bit.ly/2FQpUFC]. Nevertheless, you are better than ten thousand other people at something. You can provide wise guidance and seasoned instruction. 

Frustration and disappointment come when no one cares what you know and they do not take advantage of your expertise. You are willing to provide your skills in service to others at a fair price, or for free, and people instead ignore you or pay someone else way too much for way too little. 

Of course, the old joke about experts is they are people who are at least twenty miles from home and carry a briefcase. We should probably update that and say they carry a laptop. There is something about a little distance and unfamiliarity that makes people more interested in our ideas and abilities. 

Our Father in heaven, the expert in all things at all times for all people, understands our frustration. Look at this verse: “I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me.”

It is an election year, in case you haven’t noticed, and we are seeking The Man or The Woman who will lead us to glory. I read a lot of history, maybe even ten thousand hours worth, and I can advise you: Don’t get your hopes up. 

While we are choosing candidates and talking about how this is The Most Important Election Of Our Lives (again), God in heaven is waiting, waiting, waiting for someone to notice a couple of things. First, he is in charge here. Second, no one will ever remove him from office. Third, he is more willing to be found than we are to seek for him. 

Since you and I by ourselves cannot solve the problems of the whole wide world, let’s focus on us and those we influence most. Let us seek God’s highest and best for each of them. Let us join him in what he is doing to draw them to himself and to guide their steps. Use your increasing expertise in knowing and experiencing God to help others know and experience him. 

God is ready to respond. Are you ready to ask for his expertise?

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I will ask for God’s expertise and intervention.

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Our Father, you are wise and you are good. Your love endures forever. Please deliver us from the evils of our age. Bless us with the leaders we need, not those we deserve. Heal our world from this pandemic. Comfort the millions who suffer grief and loss because of this disease. Empower us to serve others in love during this season of uncertainty. We need you. Amen.