Who doesn’t want more?  More time, more money, more energy, more fun, more sleep, more of everything….  Sigh.  I could really use more sleep right about now!

The “more” list is endless and it’s a very dangerous road to travel.

Wanting more isn’t necessarily a bad thing when it gives us the gumption to break the glass ceiling that holds us back from being who God created us to be.

There is a list of historical figures a mile long that exemplify pushing past rejection, road blocks and against all odds because they knew they were meant for more.

1. Bill Gates’ first business failed.
2. Simon Cowell had a record business fail.
3. Jim Carrey was homeless at age 15.
4. Stephen King’s first book was rejected 30 times.
5. Thomas Edison failed 1,000 times before he created the light bulb.
6. Steven Spielberg was rejected from USC twice.

Obviously, perseverance and hard work are the fundamental elements that help humans succeed and that is absolutely commendable!  Woohoo!  Go persistent, determined people!!!

However, always wanting more can get in the way of living for today and in the moment when we are always looking beyond the here and now.

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 1John 2:16

It’s quite the slippery slope.

Depending on God to guide us and hold our hand so we don’t slip is the best solution to this daily conundrum.

For example, I’ve been blessed to be reading about 12 extraordinary women in the Bible.  Hannah has caught my attention because her story is a great illustration of wanting more in a Godly way.

Hannah was a married woman who was barren.  She lived a life longing for a child all the while having to deal with her husband’s other wife who thwarted her at every turn due to jealousy and downright meanness.  (Sound a ton like Sarah and Hagar.)

What makes Hannah different is that she didn’t complain about her situation…SHE PRAYED.  She wanted more and she let God know.  However, the interesting thing about Hannah’s ‘more’ proposition is that she told God she would dedicate her male son to God for life if God would grant her request.

Doesn’t sound very selfish to me.  Huh….

Don’t know about you, but my prayers are mostly about what I want and not necessarily sacrificial or altruistic.  Grrr…I have a long way to go.

The point is that Hannah wanted more, but she wanted more to PLEASE GOD.

And guess what?  It did.

God granted her a child, Samuel, who ended up being the man of God who gave the blessing to David which made him King instead of Saul and thus continued onto the lineage of Jesus Christ, the Messiah and our Savior.

The shocking thing is that Hannah kept her end of the bargain and gave Samuel over to the High Priest once he was weaned (about 3-years-old) – I cannot imagine the torture that must have been, but she did it with love and grace.  Again, I have such a long way to go!!!

They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.” The man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow. But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the Lord and dwell there forever.” Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him; only, may the Lord establish his word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him. 1Samuel 1:19-28

In light of this good example of wanting more, do you need to examine the ‘more’ for which you are asking for??  AND…will you follow through with the promises you make to God?

Just a few things to think about today!!

Some Wisdom for Today:  Proverbs 16:16 – How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.