Questions
I tend to ask lots of questions. And, yes, if you know me, you know that I have lots of answers as well. In general, I talk plenty. A lot.
But you also know that I am thoughtful. I'm always trying to figure things out. And, as a Christ follower, I wish that I could understand many things much better than I do. I'd love to be able to live better, live different, more sin free, more pain free for me & others.
If I could only understand, then I could fix it.
Or at least try my best.
If I could only understand it, then I could accept it.
Well, maybe accept it better.
I look at the world around me. Pain. Injustice. Problems. So much I wish I could change.
And more than just the nameless, faceless masses I look at the lives of those I love. I see their distress. I hear their pain. I feel their struggle. I grieve their questions.
How. How did this happen? We'd like to know. In order to understand. To keep from making the same mistake again. If that is possible. Or simply to be satisfied with an answer. Even if it still hurts. At least we know how it happened. We can understand. Or we can assign blame. The knowledge of how gives a small sense of control.
Why. Why did this happen? We always want to know. It helps to have an explanation. But sometimes there is not one. Or the one we get just seems so wrong. Unjust. Difficult. Painful. There is nothing wrong with the question why. But - when faced with something that seems unanswerable or terribly difficult - it is not always the most productive question.
What. For a Christ follower in the midst of difficulty the best question may be what. Trusting God's sovereignty - that He either causes or allows all things that touch my life - I can ask how & why, but what may be the best question to move ahead. Specifically: What can I learn from this circumstance?
It's a humble posture. A learning posture. A trusting posture. A mind that is settled on the sovereignty of God. A heart that rests in the love of God. A spirit that says something like this:
God, I believe you control all things. Anything affecting my life you have either caused or allowed into my life. Everything affecting my life you can use for your glory & my growth. So, God, while I'm here, in the midst of this difficult circumstance, what would you have me learn?
Questions are many. Answers may be few. God is One. Seek Him.
But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29
Who. That's one more question. And this who - the Ultimate Who - can provide an answer to every question. If from there. Wherever your there is. Whatever circumstance. Whatever trouble. Seek Him.
