This is Part 2 of four blog posts and podcasts in a series I’m calling “What, Why, & How.” In the first, we took a 30,000-foot look at three words that run in the background of our thinking and doing. Given that our spiritual (internal) dynamics fuel everything we do with our head, heart, and hands I think it a good idea to dig into them a bit.
Written by David, of the lineage of Jesus, this Psalm reflects the heart of a man asking God to work through these three questions: Why? What? How?
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NASB
Today we look at “Why?” Jesus, the Master Teacher in all dispensations and pandemics frequently asks the “Why” question.
Jesus uses questions differently than we commonly do today.
We ask questions for information; Jesus asks questions to provoke transformation.
We ask questions for answers; Jesus asks questions… for awareness.
— Mark Tebbe: https://www.teloscollective.com/engaging-through-asking-5-ways-jesus-asked-questions/
Why are you thinking such things in your heart? Mark 2:8
Why are you anxious about clothes? Matthew 6:28
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye yet fails to perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? Matthew 7:2
Why are you afraid? Matthew 8:26
In other words: Why do I think what I think and do what I do?
Let me suggest just a few questions Jesus might ask:
Why am I quick to blame?
Why am I holding on to things so hard?
What do I need to say “no” to?
Why do I say “yes” when I really need to say “no!”?
What keeps me awake at night?
Why do I insist on getting my way?
Why do I resist change?
Why do I procrastinate?
‘Why’ reveals our hidden motivations and is the seat of vision. ‘What’ brings vision to the context of our lives — it sets the floor and ceiling of our lives. ‘How’ is the architect’s plans from which the building is built.
Next, in Part 3 we unpack ‘What.’
What do you want?
Not what do others want — but you?
Your “What” shows the world who you are.
Reflect
Which ‘Why’ answer, reason, or justification needs to go. What needs to take its place?
Don’t labor over it – just name it, write it down, and come back to it later.
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PRAY
Oh my God, I was not ready for this today. I have a ton of things to get done today, I didn’t sleep well last night, work and the kids are out of control, and I read a blog post earlier this morning and…and now this! Help me get a handle on my why.
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