ASKING FOR IT

"THEY'RE ASKING FOR IT." How often have we said these words. It does not mean that an individual is asking for a thing in so many words, but that they are acting in an unpleasant manner, and that they will get a reply of the same kind. There are more ways than one to ask for something. However, quite often we get what we neither want nor asked for. And then again, we sometimes get what we do not want because we asked for it by our attitude and actions.

If we drive my car wrecklessly and too fast, someone may say that we're asking for an accident. If we eat too much, we're asking for indigestion. Not by word of mouth, but by my actions.

Therefore, our way of living shows what we are asking for in life, whether we realize it or not. Our words, our acts, our spirit come back to us like echoes. If we're critical of people, if our tongue cuts like a knife, if we're envious, jealous, suspicious, we're asking to be let severely alone. However, by the same token, if we're generous, thoughtful, unselfish, seeking to serve, we're asking for friends, and we get them. We may not deliberately be trying to make friends, but we make them as a kind of by-product of our gallant and cheerful way of living.

The real question then, is, What are you asking for in life?

If you want more of life, you must ask for it. There is a period during our lifetime when life comes to us; after that time has passed we must go to it. So, we've got to take hold of it, handle it, dare its risks, and by the grace of God make it too great to die.