It is only human nature, I guess, to ask why? We start from the moment we can talk asking why this why that. One of my biggest questions to God is always, why? Why did this person get sick, why did this or that happen, and of course, why do you want me to do that?
Sometimes when I ask, later down the road I get the answer, and really wish I hadn’t ever asked why in the first place.
Why God Why?
As was with Nehemiah, Joel, and a host of others, I have had an ongoing discussion with myself (and God) over the last several years about why I ask God why. I think part of asking God why is a lack of faith more than curiosity. Faith knowing that God knows what is best for my life, and I don’t. I know the ultimate answer, the why doesn’t matter, all things work for God’s good.
I bring it up now in a post mainly because of the summer’s events like Matthew Butler (see Matthew Butler Killed at Zion Gate) and others, and ultimately we are asking the question, why evil acts take place or why God allows these things to happen. I certainly don’t know the answer but I know what Romans 8:28 says.
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
This is a simple verse to read, but to me, one of the most complex verses in Romans. Different versions or translations put key words in different places but some of the interesting words to look up in the NASB are “God causes” and “called”, “purpose”, “all things”, and so on. Doing a side by side comparison is very interesting.
Is Asking God Why So Important?
How do we answer this question many times when asked by a very small child… because I told you to. Do we not become annoying some times with the question ourselves? Over the years we all develop these little pet peeves and one of mine that keeps getting a little more well defined is when people ask me why other people do what they do. I can barely explain to someone why I am doing something but no way can I figure out why other people do what they do.
People [we] are strange, and they do strange things, rarely can I determine why, so, I really don’t like to be asked. But, if it annoys us, does it annoy God? I don’t think so but I don’t think we can even begin to understand how God thinks so it might be futile to ask the question here. So ultimately, is the why really important? The what, how, and when are probably more important of the little words we like, but not quite as fun I guess.
Do you ask God why? For me, I try to remember Romans 8:28 and know that “why” isn’t always the most important thing, for me anyway.
Posts Related to This Topic:
This general topic has been on my mind lately so I decided to write some of it down this morning, before I forgot what was actually in my head. I am going to leave this open ended to continue the discussion as we go, so this is part 1.
Do We Allow God to Actually Work in Our Lives?
Do we or are we willing to allow God to actually work in our lives? This was not all that easy of a question for me to answer, and I probably ask myself this question on a continual basis. When we look at the way our society works today, it is a publish on demand, gratification on demand kind of process now.
We want, so we buy, or get, just about whatever our physical or emotional needs are here on earth, especially those who live in countries like the U.S. or the U.K. Part of this is the question, are we actually willing participants in what God wants for our lives, waiting on God if we are so required?
God’s Timing is Not Our Timing
Sometimes we have to actually wait for God’s timing, and I have found over the years when I do, it usually turns out much better than if I just got what I wanted at the time I expected it to happen. My biggest question to God is always, WHY? I know you said do this, I know you want me to wait here, go there, but why?
Not only is this the wrong question to ask, it is a dangerous one to ask as well. We think we want to know why, but in reality, when we are not told, it is probably for the best. There have been times in my life when I have heard the call of God to do one thing or another. Some times I obeyed, some times I did not, but it is the letting go and surrendering of my life to God that allows God to work in my life. Asking why is one of questioning the motives of God. Are you sure? I am not so sure this is best for me right now, maybe later.
We Can Choose Not to be Blessed
We have the ability to refuse. God has given us free will (a complex topic for another day) to obey or be disobedient. If we read through the old and new testaments, we can see who God used in scripture. Ordinary people, but those willing to let God work in their lives.
I am not saying here that if we are disobedient that God is going to strike us down where we stand. What God will do is use a willing person for His work. Sometimes that takes Him breaking us down so we become willing, but If we are not a willing person, He will move on to bless the next person. God pretty much has an unlimited number of people to use. If we are unwilling to be blessed by God, God can and will move to someone who is willing.
In my own life, I go back and forth between choosing self and choosing God’s will, but when God’s will and my own selfish will align, it is an amazing thing. It is something that can only be described as joy. Coming up, Allowing God to Work in Your Church, part 2 of We Can Choose Not to Be Blessed, just stayed tuned, but in the mean time, let me know what you think. How willing are we to let God do what he does best for us?
