DAY 32

THE BETTER QUESTION

MATT CIARAMITARO, GENERATIONS PASTOR, THE WOODS CHURCH

Did you know that kids typically ask over 300 questions a day? Tragically, that number falls to around 25 on average for adults. Adults get less curious, and as a result, we fail to grow. In my years of pastoral ministry, I have found that one question commonly asked by adults is “why did this happen?” It’s not a bad question, but I think there is a better question that we can ask. One that takes our focus off the what and why, and onto the who. A question that doesn’t focus on what we are supposed to do, but who we are supposed to be. The question is, “who am I supposed to be?”

Check this interaction out between Jesus and his disciples after his resurrection.

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:6–8

Essentially, Jesus' disciples were still asking God if he was going to fix all of their circumstances and make things the way they wanted them to be. And Jesus basically says, who cares… doesn’t matter… wrong question… He answers them by telling them who they are supposed to be, His Spirit-filled witnesses.

I have found myself right where the disciples were, asking Jesus: When are You going to fix my circumstances? When are You going to make things better for me? Many of us go through life thinking that in every situation we should be protected from discomfort. We think that when something bad happens, there has to be someone to blame. This is the way Jesus’ disciples thought.

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” John 9:1–3

Did you catch that? The question of why was not as important to Jesus as it was to His disciples. Jesus said that even in these terrible circumstances, God might be glorified. This is the attitude I try to take with me to prayer. Let me show you how this plays out.

This past spring I had a pretty rough day. It started as I was backing out of my driveway, only to realize that the garage had something obstructing it. Long story short, I hopped out, not realizing I had left it in reverse. The truck backed up with the door still open, heading right toward our basketball goalpost. Yep… Crash! All I heard was screeching metal as I watched it bend the wrong way as if it were auditioning for Cirque du Soleil. I stood there stunned. I was fine, but I didn't have time to deal with a car repair, and felt like I had just blow-torched $1000 for no reason. I was frustrated, angry,and annoyed.

I wanted to ask God, “Why did this happen!?” “Am I being punished?” “Are You trying to get my attention?” “What did I do to deserve this?” I didn’t have the answers to any of those questions, and it only left me more frustrated. All I could rely on was the better question: “Who am I supposed to be?” I am still supposed to be grateful. I am still supposed to be filled with joy. I am not to worry about material things that are just temporary. Asking the better question left me with a sense of direction.

I know you might be dealing with things far more serious. Health problems, relational problems, and financial problems. Let me encourage you as you spend time in prayer today. Stop asking God why, and ask Him who, who are you supposed to be.

I am not saying that “why” doesn’t matter. I am not saying that you just have to take life’s punches and accept them. I am just saying that oftentimes we don’t have the full picture that God has. Look at this scripture.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:9–12

We don’t know everything, so let’s not spend as much energy asking why, and spend our energy asking who. Even with your diagnosis, you are called to be full of faith; even in your conflict, you are called to be a peacemaker; even in your failure, you are called to persevere.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for my doubt, my frustration, and my desire to blame You or others for what is going on in my life. Jesus as I pause and reflect, help me understand who You have called me to be. You have called me to be holy, to be blameless, to be content, to be humble, to be generous. Holy Spirit, fill me with hope, with joy, with peace, and with love. God, even when my circumstances are difficult, help me to ask what You are teaching me so that I can continually grow into a child of God who honors you. Amen.