In many of my circles asking questions is not really a good thing. You’re supposed to have all the answers, especially as a pastor. We are supposed to know everything. We are supposed to be the ones that can tell people the right answer.
The famous pastors, typically, are the ones who:
- …are spineless with bad theology.
- …are mean spirited good theology.
When I was younger, less mature (I hope), I knew everything. I had all the answers. I knew what was biblical. The guys that I mentored would mock my stock phrase, “…because it’s biblical.” Give me a topic, any topic, and I could tell you Jesus’ mind on the matter.
I am older now, more mature (I hope), I don’t know everything. I don’t have all the answers. I think I know what the Bible has to say about things. Give me a topic, any topic, and I am willing to listen and learn what other people have to say, I think I can discern those thoughts against what the Bible has to say, but less and less am I willing to speak Jesus’ mind (that said there are some things that I he was pretty clear about).
More than ever I want to walk faithfully in the footsteps of Jesus. I want to know what he thinks and what he wants from us. I want to know what I’m supposed to do and how I’m supposed to lead his people. More than ever I want my life to reflect Jesus’ life. As a pastor, I deeply desire to be able to authentically look at the people in my congregation, and say, “Imitate me as I imitate Jesus.”
So, I ask questions. I wonder at the depth of humanity. I choose to be amazed by the beauty of the image of God in humanity. I choose to be shocked at the depth of brokenness in humanity. I make a choice to extend grace, mercy, forgiveness, and trust for the redemption of those in my life who desperately need it. More and more, I choose to be quiet before God and try hard to hear his voice. Less and less I speak in his presence.
I ask questions and I mean them. I am fascinated by the stories of people and who they are. Those that reject God out of hand raise in me an insatiable curiosity. Those that believe in God with blind faith stir in me question after question.
Some people see my asking questions as something that shouldn’t be done. They want me to “say something” and give an opinion, that is biblical, on everything. That simply isn’t going happen. This humanity that God has fashioned in his image is too deep, too layered, and too interesting for that kind of thing.
These days, I feel like a young child exploring the world for the first time. I wake up and look around this world and I am in constant wonder.
The post Why I Ask Questions appeared first on The Journal by Daniel M. Rose. It was written by Daniel M. Rose.
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