Monday, May 27, 2013

"THE WHY CHILD"


"The Why Child."

That could have been my nickname growing up.

(Well, at least one I would have liked.  We won't discuss "Spoke" or "Railroad Mouth")

I was an intensely curious child.  I wanted to know the "why" about everything.  I know most kids are that way.  But evidently I was more persistent in my questions.  And they were deep questions.

My pondering started early!

For instance, maybe most kids would ask something like, "Why is the sky blue?"

My question might be more like, "Why can't I touch the sky if I can see it?"

And, I would add follow-up questions:

"How far away is the moon?"  ("How" questions are close cousins of "why" questions, by the way).

"Why can't I look at the sun?"

"Why isn't it light all the time?"

"Where does the wind come from?"  ("Where" questions are also on the family tree, by the way).

God bless her, my mom would try to answer my incessant questioning. But, more often than not, I heard this:

"Ask your father when he comes home!"


So, curious and inquisitive - yes I was.

Not entirely bad qualities.

But, as I grew older, my questions started to overflow into my faith.

"Why" questions became problematic sometimes as I tangled with the bigger issues:

"Why does God allow bad things to happen?"

"Why doesn't everybody go to heaven?"

"Why does God feel hidden and silent sometimes?"

I'm not entirely sure that my "why" questions reflected doubt.  I may have walked some miles off the narrow way in my life, but I never turned my back on my faith.

But I wrestled.  I struggled.

I always identified with Job.  I understood his questioning.  His heart-wrenching "why," hurled toward the heavens, could have come from my lips.

And you want to know the truth?

I always kinda thought that God's response was harsh and insensitive.  Maybe even (dare I say it?)...sarcastic?  arrogant?

Job had suffered terribly.  He was still suffering...terribly.  I think his questions were legitimate, understandable - they were human.

And God didn't (wouldn't) answer even one "why" question???

To me, that seemed almost (dare I say it?)...cruel.

Yup.

So, "why" has been my lifelong companion.

But today, something in one of my devotions got me thinking, questioning...

(I know - you caught the irony, right?!)

This devotional book has a question to ponder at the end of the reading for the day (wonder why I picked it?!).

Here was the question for today:

"What are some of the conversations you want to have with Jesus in eternity?"

Huh.

Well, let me tell you, back in the day I would have arrived at those pearly gates with a laundry list of questions.  I would have pushed for a *consultation* with the Lord.

"Um, excuse me, Peter.  I'm happy to be here, but I'd like to schedule an appointment with Jesus.  I have questions!!"

But when I read that question in my devotions today, it stopped me.

Why?  (LOL)

Because I realized that I am not so burdened by my questions anymore.

They're still there, yes.  But they are far less important than they used to be.  And my quest for answers is far less urgent and compelling.

What happened to them, I wondered today...

Lo and behold, my conclusion was this:

MY FAITH HAS GROWN!

I still have questions, sure, but now I can release them easier.  They don't have a stranglehold on me.  They don't consume me like they used to.

Why?  (LOL again)

Because they aren't as important to me as my relationship to 
The Answer.

I have come to know Jesus in a far more personal way.

He is my God - but He is also my Friend.

You know, I think my arrival at the pearly gates is going to be different now. My hands will be empty - no laundry list of questions.  No demands, no agenda.

Only these words:

"Peter, where's Jesus?"

I don't really want answers.  I just want to see His face.


Ah...now I realize something about Job that has always puzzled me.

His response to God's response.

Job wasn't hurt or disappointed or frustrated or angry.  He didn't spit out a snappy retort.

"Yeah, great, God.  I know what You've done.  But I want to know why?"

Nope.

That was never uttered.

No, instead, Job was humbled in his heart.

For him, God had grown bigger and more personal at the same time.

Job was completely satisfied to give up intellectual knowledge for intimate relationship.

He traded mind contentment (answered questions) for heart communion (fulfilled soul).

And, in many ways, I have too.

I realized that today...and it made me happy.

My "why" child has matured into a "Who" person.

The Who.

The Answer.

My Friend.


I get it now, Job.

I get it now, Lord.

I get it.





Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb...
For I locked it behind barred gates,
limiting its shores.
I said, "This far and not farther you will come.
Here your proud waves must stop!"









Job responds to God:

"You asked, 'Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?'  It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me...

I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes."  (Job 42:3, 5)


Are you still asking the questions, or are you seeking The Answer?


Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

17 comments:

  1. I started leaning forward in my chair about half way through and put my fist up to my mouth. (Just giving you a visual that you didn't ask for) I do that when something really grabs me.

    This did.
    I realized reading it that I TOO have grown in my faith!!! (Unnecessary but excited exclamation points, I know.) It's so exciting to me to realize that I have also reached the maturity to stop questioning so much and just want to see His face.

    I loved the final part from Job. Amen. Oh Amen.

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  2. You write for me today Sharon, word for word... I could never have said it like you do, but I love that you did. There are sure some kindred hearts out here in the blog world... you are one of mine.

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  3. I used to ask why myself. I still ask why to must things. But not God anymore - I have resolved myself to having faith without knowing the why. Sandie

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  4. Dear Sharon
    We all ask those questions, dear one! And one I think we all ask is why our Pappa God does not do something about the evil and suffering in the world! But, I found the answer in the fact that He has already done everything that needed to be done in Jesus and His still busy finishing and implementing His whole plan of redemption that was started on the cross.
    Much love from Michelle's.
    Mia

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  5. So glad you shared this sis.

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  6. Gotta chuckle at your questions. It took me a long time to figure that our human-ness is not going to be a part of Heaven, so most of my thoughts about it are not relevant at all. Knowing God is above anything we can even imagine is a huge thing!

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  7. AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel the same...now I only imagine bowing down or dancing before the throne, crying out You Are LORD!!!, and nothing else will matter...NO Whys
    Great post

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  8. Yep to this....I used to ask why all the time. A blogger bud told me to stop asking why and just trust. That was awesome advice and helped me move forward. hugs.

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  9. Oh my, oh my Sharon ... we are so much alike! Must be the year we were born, sis... I love this! Thankful our faith is growing and we are blooming as we struggle, press on and persevere in trust over fear, confidence over doubt, victory over struggles, and getting the answers to our questions, bit by bit, day by day, one pebble at a time ... cast it all on the Lord! I hopefully "get it" soon making progress anyways ...

    Love to you and thanks for sharing on TOTS "experiencing God" when we're gripped by fear (more fearful than I use to be)(could all of this be the results in aging?) as I was listening again to the broadcast then saw your email pop in with your responses... (((hugs))) Peggy

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  10. Your questions have changed as your faith has matured. Your why and how questions as a child were cute. Imagine seeing Jesus face to face and feeling His love in such a strong way.

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  11. This was a good post Sharon...One I needed to read.

    When I was a kid I once asked my Mom: "Why do I think so many thoughts?"...so I can certainly relate to your inquisitive mind, LOL!
    And I love what Job said there... "I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me"...
    Again, I can sure relate!

    Blessings and love,
    Lisa

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  12. Great thoughts here, Sharon - from one "why" kid to another. Actually, asking "why" was a driving force for me to seeking out the Lord - who had all the ultimate "why" answers. But, you are right - faith teaches us that we don't always need the "why". That would be almost arrogant of us - faithless, in fact. For us to have to know "why" all the time would suggest that WE are putting ourselves in a position to judge whether or not the "why" is a good reason or not for whatever. And, who are we to judge God? Isn't that the ultimate lesson Job learned?

    You HAVE to see my play - you'll LOVE the "princess" scene where this very thing is touched upon. I put up a nice little feature with the link today to see it live online this weekend - remember the time change for you!

    http://thewritersreverie.blogspot.com/2013/05/opening-night.html

    Cast photo and behind the scenes peeks, too. Hope you can tune in!

    Joy!
    Kathy

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  13. Hi Sharon,
    I have my questions too...like, how is it even possible that we are able to see the stars? Thinking of the vast distance that they are from us. Or, How much longer, O Lord, till you put an end to the works of the devil?

    But you are so right, it is much better to know who God is and be in that personal relationship with Him, that to know all these answers.

    Have a blessed day,
    Ken

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  14. Sharon,

    WOW! What a powerful post. I thought about your question and immediately thought of all the things I wanted to ask. Then as I read further I found myself thinking along the same lines as you. Now I don't have as many questions as I once did and thinking along the lines that it's my faith that is maturing. The "whys" don't matter so much as the contentment it provides in knowing that all my questions will be answered when I arrive in Heaven. I may not get to know the "why's" now but revelation comes through experience, trust and putting our faith to work building that intimate relationship with God.

    By the way, thanks for stopping by and giving me such powerful encouragement. God is great that way, providing those opportunities through our friends and believers to keep pushing forward. The race is still going but the finish line is drawing closer. May God empower you to reach out to many through sharing your messages in the blogging world. May God receive all the glory through your words.

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  15. This is great, Sharon.....love the why person turning into a who person.

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  16. There are so many "whys" that we will never know the answer to in this life. I like the example of Job. Thank you for sharing.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  17. Good things to ponder. Where am I in the why process? I think the why's still come, but not as a challenge for Him to prove himself, but as a privilege to search out his wisdom, knowing he has an answer that will help me know his heart better than before.
    That takes the fear out of the questions, too.
    Thanks, Sharon.

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)