This is Part 3 of four in a series I’m calling “Why, What, & How.” Previously we took a 30,000 foot look at three words which 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.
Previously we unpacked the “Why?” question and started off with this quote by Matt Tebbe:
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.
In this edition we look at “What”.
I began to discover that these questions which Jesus asks — and in particular the “What” — can end with a period, an exclamation point, or with a question mark!
Having spent years tinkering with “Why?” God began probing the fringes of my awareness with the whisper of “What.” I wasn’t hearing it as a question but a statement or an answer, or a bold declaration.
Jesus’ question “What do you want?” is provocative.
Consider Jesus’ question to a guy who had created a lifestyle of waiting. Jesus asks, “What do you want?” The guy does not respond with an answer, rather, he explains, almost with a complaint: – “No one will help me.”
Consider now, Jesus asks almost the same question in Mark 10 to a man named Bartimaeus — who, like the guy in John 5, needed help with something. Bartimaeus responds with a strong, clear answer: “I WANT TO SEE!”
Several years ago I was in a season of painful transformative change as I stepped out of pastoring in a large church into some unknown, undefined career “next step.” I had no idea what to do next, but I knew staying in the church was not an option. In a real sense, I had to figure out “What” I was going to do.
So, I put myself in the shoes of these two guys. I wasn’t like the John 5 guy who played the victim and I wasn’t the Mark 10 guy who knew what he wanted.
“Can I get back to you?” was my answer to Jesus’ “What?”
It was a GREAT answer! Honest, active, and inclusive. Inclusive in that I began to pray conversationally with God about my situation.
I went through months of “Tell me God what you want me to do.” and it seemed the line went dead — no answers from God.
Then, after what seemed like an eternity, I stopped asking that “What” question and took another approach. I dropped into the John 5 guy and instead of answering the question, my daily mantra was “I will do anything You want me to do.”
Another frustrating eternity of months.
One day I heard the strong voice of God asking “What do you want Bud? You and I know who you are, and what fires you up. Let’s figure this out together!”
What followed was truly an exciting season of discovery, affirmation, and faith. Slowly I came to develop a vision for my next step. You see, I changed my “What” from a question mark to a period. My “What” became a strong declaration. Strong like the Mark 10 guy.
Note, I didn’t attempt to figure out my “What” as though God was too busy to help me. No, it was a deeply collaborative experience that included God and many close, trusted friends.
Choosing the “Can I get back to You?” may be a hot ticket for you.
Forks in the road prompt us to invite God in.
Why wait?
Pray
O God, my Creator and Redeemer. Let’s get after this together! I want to become like the Mark 10 guy! Amen
Resources
The following chapters in Chasing the Sage can help you move toward your “what.”
Questions, p. 35
Boys Play it Sage, p. 49
Defining Moments, p. 103
Life Plan, p. 155
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