Thursday, December 1, 2011

Daring to Ask the Question . . .

Luke 20:39-40
Some of the teachers of the law responded, "Well said, teacher!" And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Children ask questions with abandon. Their natural curiosity begs to know who, what, when, where, and, especially, why.

Why is the sky blue? Why does the dog bark? Why does it rain? Why can't I have a cookie?

Why, why, why!

As we grow, many of us lose our confidence when it comes to asking questions. Maybe, we ask a question at home and a sibling calls it silly. Or, we ask at school, and our peers laugh at our naivete.

"You didn't know that already?"

"That's the stupidest question I've ever heard!"

"Are you really that dumb?"

We are embarrassed. Self-conscious. Intimidated.

We still have questions. Hundreds of them. But, instead of daring to ask, we keep them to ourselves. Hoping to find the answers on our own.

And, then, there are those questions we long to ask, but fear the answers might not be what we want to hear.

We seek the truth, but aren't sure we can accept it.

Because, if we do, our life changes. Drastically.

And, there's no going back . . .

"Do you love me?"

"Why are you working late so many nights?"

"Why don't you call anymore?"

The hard questions with sometimes harder answers . . .

This is where the teachers of the law find themselves. Jesus' teaching amazes them, floors them. They dare not ask the next question. The hard one. The logical one. The one which would set their world on its ear.

"Are you, Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah?"

They know the answer. They know the truth. They don't want to hear it.

So, they don't ask the question.

I wonder how different the Gospel story would be if they had dared? If they risked it all for the sake of truth?

If they took that one last leap of faith . . .

Are there some hard questions in your life that need asking?

Please, pray with me:
Thank you, Father, for giving us inquisitive minds. Help us to have the courage and will to ask questions even when they are difficult. Help us to always seek the truth. Amen.

Readings
Psalms 18:1-20 or 18:21-50
Isaiah 2:12-22
1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
Luke 20:27-40

11 comments:

  1. A very thought provoking post Martha...yes,I do believe that I need to ask myself a lot of questions....a lot of soul searching is required...I don't believe that I have or am doing anything wrong..but a few areas do need certain answers...Thanks for this wonderful post Martha.

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  2. Thank you, Alpana, for dropping in today!
    It is always, as hard as it is, a good thing to ask ourselves those soul-searching questions. So glad to know I am not alone in this! :)
    Thanks, too, for you compliment - know it is most appreciated.
    Blessings to you!

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  3. Thanks so much, Janu! Bless you for stopping by! :)

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  4. You are so right! Questions are a good thing. :)

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  5. As a matter of fact, I do have some significant questions right now. And I'm praying over them and writing about them to try and figure things out, if possible. Pray for me ;-)

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  6. Hi, Rachel! Thanks for stopping by today. :)
    Oh, yes, questions are great! And, I truly believe God likes our questions even when we are filled with doubt.
    Blessings!

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  7. Hi, Debra! Thanks for dropping in today.
    Of course, I'll be in prayer for you, my friend! Immediately wrote your name down on my prayer page and will continue to lift you and your concerns up to Him who is always listening.
    Hope you have answers soon . . .
    Blessings!

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  8. I have a whole lot of important questions I need answered right now but am figuring out how to ask them. Lovely post, thanks for sharing.

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  9. Questions... I am glad there are questions and value questions from my students as it pushes me to seek further...
    I have questions too and hoping the answers will appear!

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  10. We all have questions to be answered, waiting for the right moment and the right person to ask them. Nice post.

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  11. Hi, Sulekkha, Savira, and Janu! Thanks for dropping in today - I so appreciate it!
    @Sulekkha - May you find the peace of mind to ask those all-important questions!
    @Savira - Yes, questions do push us beyond our comfort zones at times, and that is good! May you have the answers you seek.
    @Janu - The right moment and right person will appear when the time comes. It always happens that way!
    Thanks again and blessings to you all!

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