This seems like such a simple teaching: “Ask and it will be given to you.” But its meaning is more mysterious than predictable, and its outcomes can be surprising.

I didn’t even think of this passage on the day I asked Jesus whom he would meet if he was walking down the main street of our city. But within minutes of my asking that question and settling into my office, someone walked through my door in need of a new pair of shoes. It was cold and snowy, and the person’s shoe had a large hole in the bottom. I asked for a pair of shoes to be delivered to the church. Just then the door opened again, and someone else said they had a problem. Their foot was in pain, and they had come to ask for prayer. The person who needed shoes offered to pray, and in very little time the two people left my office. One had shoes, and the other had no more pain. Both were blessed, and so was I.

The door opened again, and someone asked for information about the church and how they might get involved.

The challenge for us all is that when we ask Jesus, we must be prepared to work with him and care for others. It is exciting to become aware of everyday miracles that can happen when we ask Jesus to walk Main Street with us.