June 26: Asking For Wisdom

Theme: Seeking God's Guidance Daily 

Nadine Tomlinson- Brown 
Ephesus SDA

Scripture: ‘’If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”– James 1:5

Dear Sisters in Christ,

Today, we focus on the essential theme of seeking God’s guidance daily, grounded in the beautiful promise found in James 1:5. As women of faith, we often juggle many responsibilities—family, church, work, and our personal lives. I want to share my journey, which reflects the importance of asking for wisdom and relying on God’s guidance.

For many years, I was deeply involved in my church and community activities. I took on roles in ushering, serving as treasurer, leading the stewardship program, directing the Women’s Ministry, and even being the ASI President. You could say that if there was a need, Sis Brown was there to fill it. Alongside these commitments, I was also managing the challenges of raising my teenage boys, dealing with their drama and the everyday issues of family life. I thought that by saying "yes" to every request, I was fulfilling God's will.

Looking back, I realize how naive I was about the true meaning of being in God’s will. Everything seemed to be working smoothly for a few years, but it was as if I was running on empty. I can't even begin to comprehend how I maintained that pace. Then, a significant incident with one of my sons caused everything to come crashing down. I began to see God and the church differently, and more importantly, I had to confront my own beliefs and relationship with Him.

Many mornings, I would leave home without worship, returning only to go to bed again without speaking to my Savior. I was actively involved in church, making spiritual decisions, yet my heart felt distant from God. It was during this challenging period that I made a pivotal decision before my 50th birthday: I wanted a personal relationship with God. I desired a genuine connection, a real look at Jesus.

I committed to not leaving home without asking God for wisdom each day—morning and evening. I established a family altar, realizing my salvation depended on my personal relationship with Him. I reached out to my best friend and others, expressing my desire to start an evening devotion ministry for ladies on Zoom. This initiative was born from a need to stay focused in my evening worship. My friend recognized the need as well, and together we began a journey that is now heading into its second year.

Our evening devotion has become a safe space for sharing testimonies, trials, and concerns. I have seen many grow in their faith, while others have struggled, but we continue to uplift one another in prayer. Through this commitment to seeking God’s wisdom and allowing Him to lead me daily, I have witnessed tremendous growth in my life. I can now say that I have a genuine relationship with my Savior; He knows my name intimately, and I recognize His voice.

I remain active in my church, but I no longer say "yes" to everything. I first ask God for guidance. Each day is a work in progress, and I continue to seek His will in my life.

Ladies, let us remember that asking for wisdom is not a one-time act but a daily commitment. God is waiting for us to seek Him, to bring our plans and decisions before Him, and to trust in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise that if we lack wisdom, we can come to You and ask. Help us to seek Your guidance daily in all areas of our lives. May we cultivate a deeper relationship with You, allowing Your wisdom to lead us in our decisions and actions. Strengthen our faith as we support one another in our spiritual journeys. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

In His love and grace,

Nadine Tomlinson-Brown