Maybe We Are Asking The Wrong Question(s)
When "stuff" happens, the go-to question for most of us is typical. "Why?"
Why did "that" happen?
Why did someone pass early? Why did that tragedy happen? Why did I lose my job? Why can't I meet someone? Why am I misunderstood?
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING!?
Job was never given a clear understanding of why he was dealt such a bad hand. Can you imagine? All your children die in one fell swoop? Your businesses fail, your stock investments tank, you are in utter familial and financial devastation, and then... then you trun up with horrid boils all over your body?
Just yuck.
Job spent some time asking some questions, and then God showed up and started asking some questions of His own. Turns out God doesn't report to us. He's not American and has His own definition of fair.
He is God, we are not. And yet He allows, even invites, us to interact with Him. To pour out our hearts. The psalms are full of this kind of dialogue.
God wants to hear from us, but He does not "report" to us. We can't reason with His sovereignty.
When stuff happens in our lives, it is fine to share our hearts with Him, but we need to be cautious. The "Why" question rarely gets answered.
Instead, what if the better questions start with "How?" or "What?".
How do you want to respond to this? or What are you trying to show me here?
God promises to use everything for good. It's a hard passage to embrace sometimes. Turns out His ideas of resolution are not always the same as ours, and yet He IS good.
What are you wondering about right now? How can you ask better questions?
What is God hoping you will see or do because of what you are facing?
How does He want to meet you in the midst of the stuff?
Where can you find Him?
Father, I pray as we respond to the stuff of life, You will help us share our hearts with You so we can still our spirits and hear Your voice. Your still small voice. The one that speaks hope and life. The one that heals and calms. The one that guides. As we hear You, I pray we can help others to do the same. I pray we can ask empowering questions that evoke awareness of Who You are and come alongside others to help them walk with You through whatever we are facing.
Want more: check out Questions for Jesus by Tony Stolzfus
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