November 19, 2021

“Asking a New Question”

As followers of Jesus, we daily find ourselves living in the tension between John 10:10 and John 16:33.

It’s in John 10:10 that Jesus promises His followers “abundant life” and in John 16:33 that He reminds us we’ll have “many trials and sorrows” here on this earth. When I encounter that tension between abundant life and trials and sorrows, I immediately ask God two familiar questions –

“Why did you let this happen?” and “Why don’t you make this situation go away?”

I’m not alone, why even Moses asked God, “Why are you treating me so harshly?” and David posed the question, “Why do you hide when I am in trouble?”

However, lately, I’m learning to ask a new question when the trials and sorrows of life start to infringe on God’s promise of abundant life. Instead of a why question, it’s a what question – “God, what good do you want to come from this trial or sorrow?”

In learning to ask that question, I starting to know God more deeply as my Companion, my Counselor, my Comforter, and my Confidence. In knowing Him more fully in those roles, I’ve noticed I’m not as lonely, confused, discouraged, and fearful as I was before.

It’s amazing! Things truly started to change when I started asking a new question.

Hope to see you Sunday,

pastor jamie