Today’s passage is laden with questions …

How many loaves do you have?” “Why does this generation seek a sign?” “Why do you discuss the fact you have no bread?” “Do you not yet see or understand?” “Do you have a hardened heart?” “Do you not remember…how many baskets full of broken pieces you picked up?” “Do you not yet understand?” “Do you see anything?” “Who do the people say that I am?” “Who do you say that I am?” (all from Mark 8)

A Christian is thought to be maturing as they progress in hearing God’s voice and heeding His commands. I wholeheartedly agree. This is how servants and bond slaves relate to their Lord. However, He has also called us children. Children and questions are made for each other. Since God is not suffering from a knowledge deficit, perhaps He uses questions to stimulate our brains. Perhaps God likes to watch His children think.

I am a grandfather and my grandchildren are the best show in town. I am so impressed when they hear and obey but I am on the edge of my seat when I see them thinking. Their is magic when their agile and creative minds are engaged by a question. I love watching their wheels turn, assembling from their limited experience and knowledge, answers which make perfect sense to them.

It appears that learning is accelerated more by questions than by commands. This makes sense because, in answering a question, one must take ownership. Their parents proudly watch their brains working and then let them live for a bit with the outcomes of their precious half-baked little ideas.

“OK Mommy, I won’t cut my sisters hair again.” (a recent half-baked little idea)

For cutest ever example, go to: http://gawker.com/5922086/npr-reporter-interviews-his-two-little-girls-after-one-gives-the-other-the-worst-haircut-ever

How does one discover the will of God – that which is good, acceptable and perfect? I have lived in camps where the Bible was the primary means. I have lived in others where the prophetic word was seen as the best way to get direction. Both have their point but there is still another way we can discover God’s will – through living. I believe God is sufficiently in control to ask us what we think and how we would approach a situation. Like a good parent with their child, I believe God gives us the latitude to explore – to get lost and even to be wrong.

God knows experimentation allows the lesson learned to become a part of us. He enjoys watching us as we try and answer His questions from our very limited thoughts and experiences. Is God big enough to accomplish His will and suffer our experiments and failures? I am betting on it. This way His truth becomes enfleshed in our lives – the Word becomes flesh, light shines from the darkness and His children are transformed into His image.

Perhaps we become frustrated in hearing God’s voice because we are listening for commands when He is actually asking questions. Perhaps our progress is limited because we are speaking when we should be listening. Questions provoke thought and dialogue. They create connection between us and God. Questions are appropriate for us as agents of free will – those who are learning to walk in His ways. Questions can create humility and fuel hunger. Questions become us.

Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3) 

Father, permit that our hearts would become mature in their childlikeness, flexible yet resolute, meek yet courageous, humble yet bold and innocent yet wise. Help us to hear the questions you are asking. Help us to ask the right questions of You. Help us to ask the right questions of each other. Raise up an army of people whose childlike and agile minds function in harmony with the Holy Spirit within them. As Your servants and sons, may we hear both Your commands and Your questions. May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

 

 

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