“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”—Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV)
I grew up in an environment where questions were not received well. I was told I was nosey, dumb, or received vague answers especially with regard to our family-proclaimed faith of Christianity. It was as if the questioner behind the question did not exist.
In mid-November, an apologetic ministry I follow posted their current writing contest. The writing prompt was: Why is it so important to answer not only the question, but also the questioner?
For me, questions are the key component to relationships. It’s one way we explore the world around us, and it’s how we educate ourselves in all kinds of new things.
The questioner is the life of the inquiry. There’s a reason why they’ve asked the question so it says something about their level of curiosity or experiences in life.
I took some time to reflect on what it has meant in my life to be able to ask honest, transparent questions. I was deeply pleased to see how powerful questions are with regard to the beauty in the journey of discovery and living life to its fullest expression.
The contest deadline is (currently) a week or two out, so I’ll publish an update if I place. Here’s my submission for the writing contest:
When I think about why we should consider the person behind a question, I think of Romans 2:4 “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”
Kindness may seem too weak a word to adequately measure up against the deep questions of the heart, but never underestimate God’s kindness. In Him, it could very well be the bridge from the head to the heart.
His kindness is first seen in the fact that the God of the Holy Bible is the God of relationship. As we seek Him, asking questions and searching Him out, we can know and experience Him. Questions create connection and a respectful exchange is the foundation of relationship.
In God, truth and love are interchangeable. Having both the courage and the ability to speak truth in love, especially when it is perceived/received as anything but love, requires a heart for the things of God and to value His image in every human being.
I first came to Christ as a young teen. At that time in my life, I knew nothing of Romans 2:4. I was in church because my father had left again, and my mother always went to church when he walked out on us. Questions of a young heart were received in the kindness of His outstretched hand.
I was kicked out of the house at 18. For some reason, it was easier to hang on to my survival skills than to Him. Thirteen long years found me going to church when things were bad and not so much when things were good. Questions of a mother and wife were explored through the kindness of His open door.
Each time I hit a hard learning curve in life, I’d remember His kindness. I’d come back with an apology on my lips and never once did I experience His anger. I felt Him gently calling me deeper into who He created me to be. Hard questions were answered in His kindness for restoration.
Fast forward many years and I find myself in a season of life that I never expected to endure for at least another thirty years. For the last twenty-one months, the most painful experience of my life has been recovering from unexpectedly losing my husband of thirty-one years. I’ve had to face the fact that my good God had decided that February 21, 2018, would be the last day with my husband.
In my most heartfelt, painful, and even argumentative why’s, I’ve felt nothing other than God’s kindness. When I was looking for an argument, He never engaged me. The best way I know how to describe it is that He absorbed my pain and anger. Whenever I lashed out in pain, I was consistently met with a calm presence. Painful questions find kindness in His healing.
In God’s hands, the simplicity of kindness cannot be underestimated. It translates to a steadfast, enduring relationship where love, truth, and intrinsic value are a fortified union.
To see the person behind the question is to see the compassionate heart of God calling, drawing, and rescuing His beloved.
If it were not for His faithfulness to receive all my questions, I would have missed His kindness in this painful season. The most beautiful kindness of all is in His sacrifice. He did not lift His hand to stop the death of His own Son so that I, too, could be reunited with my loved one.
NOW LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!
Self-Reflection
These questions are in no way a substitute for healthcare professionals or any level of professional counseling. I’m an advocate for taking care of oneself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. These questions reflect my heart, NOT my profession.
This questionnaire is an opportunity to journal your thoughts and feelings. It can serve as a launching pad on which to evaluate your heart condition as you understand it. My hope is that you will take the truths you discover about yourself and hold them up to the Light to evaluate them against who God says you are.
- Have you given the value of questions any thought? Why or why not?
- Do you feel your questions are/have been received or rejected? Explain.
- Is there a specific question you feel has not been answered? If so, what is the question?
- How do questions make you feel when people ask them of you?
- What type of questions do you reject? Receive?
- Is there a question you wish God would answer for you?
- If so, what is that question? And why do you think He’s withheld the answer? Or what if you haven’t heard Him?
Talk to God about your answers. Give Him praise, ask Him questions and then listen for His gentle response.
Take Action
Use God’s word to take control over the traumas in your life. Whenever you feel terrorized by your thoughts take them captive by replacing them with the truth of God’s promises in His word.
Here is a scripture for you to print, cut and carry with you and/or post in places where you will see it often. Ground yourself in God’s truths not Satan’s attacks. Encourage your heart and mind every time you are reminded of His great love for YOU!
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”—Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV)
When you read God’s word say to yourself: He expects me to ask questions and He will respond. He wants to reveal things I don’t know yet and He wants to tell me His secrets, great and small. God loves to talk to me and share His heart with me.
