I Just Gotta Ask ... WHY?

I have a question. Not surprising, I know, coming from me.  My son says that the new license tag on my car ending in Y4S is absolutely appropriate for me (I didn’t choose it, it just happened).  You see, I have to know why.  If you can explain to me the ‘why’ of something, then I can wrap my head around it and assimilate it into my being.  If not, then I am lost.  I’m sorry, I just am.

Just like algebra.  My younger brother used to help me with it and I remember asking him why?  “Why do you do it?  How do you know you’re supposed to do it?”  When his answer was simply, “You just do,” I was lost.  I never ever really understood it. There is no ‘why.’

 

I have spent the better part of my life looking for the ‘why.’   'Why' does that child behave like that?  'Why' does that agency or organization do it that way?  I always liked the quote from Bobby Kennedy, “Some men see things as they are, and ask why.  I dream of things that never were, and ask why not.”  But I think it comes back to understanding ‘why’ they are as they are.  Then you can make changes.  Because I am always ready for the ‘why not?’

Now, this idea of examining the ‘why’ tends to freak some folks out.  Like my brother with my math.  He would get so frustrated with me, “It just is,” he would tell me.  Don’t look!  Don’t ask!  Just accept!  It is what it is!  That’s why he’s the accountant and I’m the teacher, I guess.  Numbers are finite.  I like the infinite.

So, here’s my question.  In this day of sides and tribalism and, honestly, hatefulness towards those who think differently from us, ‘why’ is it that we’re fixated on other people to give us the answers?

Jesus spent thirty-three years walking this earth, three in ministry and teaching, and I don’t remember one time that he said anything other than, "Look at me. I am the way."  Today, everyone is so intent on their side being right and the other being wrong, but what if we’re ALL wrong?

 

Don’t we have our eyes in the wrong place?  ‘Why’ do we think a stacked Supreme Court (either way) is going to make our world better?  ‘Why’ do we think Congress being one-sided will fix everything? 'Why' do we need a president from our party, not theirs?  ‘Why’ are you just plain wrong, and I am right?

Tell me where Jesus said this was how we were to handle life.

I don’t remember anywhere that Jesus said believers should go to those people in charge to find solutions.  In fact, what I do remember is him saying, when asked, to "give to Caesar what was Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s."  It seems to me there is separation there.

I don’t find in scripture anywhere that Jesus said, “ Here's the plan:  Let’s get more Jews involved in the government and then we’ll have the power.”  Or “If we can only get a majority of those who think like us, then…”

Didn’t he say we are to be in the world, but not of the world?  Didn’t he say his ways were beyond our ways?  And yet, aren’t we trying to make his ways fit our ways?  Isn’t this the very same lesson the Jewish people kept getting wrong throughout the Bible?

Didn’t he say it was really simple…"Love each other and, more than that, love God?"  How does that fit what we’re doing?

How many times did the church kids ask me as we studied the bible stories, “And they just did it again!  Why didn’t they learn?  They mess up.  God punishes them.  God forgives them.  Start over.  'Why' didn’t they learn?”

You know, that’s a very good question.  We have a really good history book that lays it out for us, over and over again, how division and hatred and animosity and vengefulness tore apart the chosen ones time and time again.

'Why' didn't they learn?  That's a very good question.

MY ONE WORD

For the past couple of years now I lead a study in which we chose a word to guide the coming days, the next year.  My very first word is still posted on my refrigerator and speaks to me as I work as a reminder that it is not necessary for me to have absolute control.  Now, this is an idea that does not come easily to me first, by my very nature and second, as I'm discovering, by my life experiences. My first word was BE.  Simple, right?  Just BE...to remain unmolested, undisturbed, or uninterrupted.  Let me tell you, it's far easier sounding than doing!  And what I also discovered was that God was about to give me all kinds of lessons in practicing that simple little two-letter word. 

I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.  So don't be troubled or afraid.  

John 14:27

Message:  Stop being the busy little bee and just be. 

So the second year I was better prepared to choose a word that would, perhaps, be a little easier.  Oh, such foolhardiness!  POSITIVE...meaning find the positive, be the positive.  As prepared as I thought I was, I had no idea what God would lay out for me over the course of this year and being POSITIVE, finding the POSITIVE was not always easy. In fact, a lot of days I didn't find it. I would start each morning with scripture and quotes and prayer to lead me and I would end each night with the same but I have to admit, in looking back over the past 361 days, I fear I failed more than I succeeded...oops!  Darn it!  See how difficult it is?

While the first year held all nature of challenges to BE, POSITIVE went beyond anything I could have imagined.  Major illness, loss of a job, moving to a new community in a new state, leaving such dear loved ones...

It has been a challenge to be sure and I have not been very successful, especially in these last few days of the year.

Watch the way you talk.  Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth.  

Say only what helps, each word a gift.

Ephesians 4:29

Your challenge is not your challenge.  

Now it is time to choose a new word and I have to admit that I'm more than a little gun-shy.  My goodness, the simple little word that is chosen carries so much power!  Who knew?

I have been a teacher in one capacity or another for over forty years.  I know words and I know how powerful they can be to build or destroy, but I never understood the power of a single word and the impact it can have in shaping who we are.  Choosing one word changes our focus from so many things that are demanding our attention every moment of every day to one thing.  And that one thing, that one word, begins to change you from the inside out.  

As I read through my journal that I, quite honestly, had set aside over the past several months I find that perhaps I have learned more than I realized.  If nothing else, I caught myself as I was heading down that less than POSITIVE road.  While my goal was to do my best to totally eliminate the negativity in my head and mouth, maybe I've taken some steps to at least recognize, if not apologize, for the fear that came through.  That's really what it was...fear. Anger over other's actions or inactions.  You know, anger is really just a cover for some other emotion.  So mine is ...  Fear... of not being in control (see that little two-letter word again)?  Fear for someone else.  Fear of someone else.  Fear that ... Oh my goodness!  Do you see how easy it is to forget?

BE.  POSITIVE.  And the next word is...

I really don't know.  I have started my list and I'll begin to work through the words to eventually choose one.  God has brought me through some challenges as I've chosen these words that I couldn't have imagined and He will see me through the next.  I have learned to BE, mostly.  I have learned to look for and find the POSITIVE, sometimes.  But most of all I have learned that whatever word I choose, the Lord will lead me through it.  It might be a bumpy ride full of surprises but here's what came to me this morning,

"God does not call us to a safe faith. He does not promise that we will have a clear view of all that lies ahead. He does not promise us simplicity. Instead, He invites us to embrace a vibrant faith that trusts Him. A faith that is alive and energized, in spite of the unsteady unknowns. His arms are not too short to save and His ears are not dull to hear. He is powerful, capable, compassionate, merciful, holy, just, and faithful."  (from Girlfriends in God, Help for a Heart That Worries, by Gwen Smith).

“Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor is his ear to dull to hear.”

Isaiah 59:1 

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.  Psalm 56:3

Hmm...maybe I should add that word to my list.