A few years ago a Canadian airline company ran a marketing campaign at Christmas. As they boarded, passengers were asked what they wanted for Christmas. When the flight touched down, gifts ranging from train sets and dolls to new snowboards and 50” TVs were given to the passengers on arrival at their destination. Those who asked for socks looked a little despondent… if only they’d asked for more! The promotional video concludes, “the guests never expected what they asked of Saint Nick would actually appear…”

Spiritually, I feel like the most I ever ask God for is socks. The bare minimum: give me what I need and what is necessary. I don’t get my hopes up asking for more because if I’m truly honest I don’t expect it to appear.

When did we stop trusting in the goodness of God?

Jesus tells the woman at the well, if only you knew what I could give you, you would ask. If only we knew the expanse of the storehouse from which God can give. We might start asking for more than socks.

My children are currently 10, 8 and 6. They are masters of asking. They do not hold back. If they want something, they’ll ask for it. They know they might not always get it – but they’ll ask anyway because sometimes Mum might surprise them and let them eat chocolate for breakfast. If we know how to give good things to our children, “how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him?” (Matthew 7:11 ESV)

How much more?

We need to get better at asking. Unlike asking stuff of our earthly parents, when we ask Jesus, we are asking the one “who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20 ESV).

So let’s ask big for our communities, for the schools our kids attend, for the colleagues we share a cubicle with. Let’s ask big for our homes and families. Ask big for the politicians and leaders of our countries. Let’s ask big for the sick, the destitute and the lowly.

Don’t settle for socks. Ask big!