As I sit here looking out my window, all I am doing is questioning, how many other people are doing the same thing at this very minute?
How many people are looking out wondering what the day will hold for them?
Will it hold a dull raining day? Will it hold good news? Will it hold bad news? Will it hold hope or despair?
For many of us, we have these questions.
We aren’t sure how we are going to make it through the day, much less the week or month with not having clear cut answers or purpose.
We are more wrapped up with the how, when, where, and why questions, rather than rephrasing them into statements with answers.
Instead of asking questions, we need to think about the answer before asking.
We can do this by changing our questions into a purpose-driven statement.
Instead of How will we get through this. We will get through this together.
Instead of When will we get through this. We will get through this in God’s time.
Instead of Where do we get through this? We will get through this by staying home and being patient.
Instead of us asking, why is God letting this happen in our world today. With God’s grace and mercy, we will come through our trials and have a greater appreciation for each other.
It’s human nature for us to question everything in life.
It is also human nature for us to question self-preservation in times of crisis. When airline attendants give us instructions before taking off in a plane, we are told, in the event of an emergency and the oxygen mask drops down, to place it on OURSELVES before those needing help.
As a society, we are taught to think of ourselves when making purchases for items, instead of seeing others in them. All the commercials do it. They tell you to “see” yourself in that new vehicle. To “see” yourself in those new shoes. To “see” yourself eating that magnificent meal. To “see” yourself in that new home. To “see” yourself in those living conditions. To “see” yourself asking all the questions.
I find it interesting that it has taken a world-wide pandemic, for our world and so many people, to voice these questions and give us answers through social media and commercials. Instead of “seeing ourselves”, we are being encouraged to think of OTHERS, rather than ourselves. To show kindness during these times of trouble.
When marketing products, agents have always told us to “see ourselves” in their commercials.
They instill questions of how, when, where, and why in their statements of how we can use the product they are selling to give us purpose, and reasons for why everything is happening. They say when we get back to “normal” we will be able to go where we want, how we want, and why we want to.
I’m left with more questions than answers at times about some of these commercials, which are supposed to help us today as we all work together to get through this pandemic.
So here is my question, WHY has it taken a pandemic for our society to finally start recognizing a need to doing all of this? Why have we all had to wait for social media to tell us to do this?
Here’s the only answer I can think of, GOD is in control, and He is telling us to wake up and pay attention. He is also reminding us, this is NOT new, and it’s okay to ASK QUESTIONS!
Over the past few weeks, I have started noticing a different trend in marketing products geared towards self-preservation. More and more companies taking notice and changing their statements to reflecting the need to taking care of others.
Didn’t God already tell us this is what we are supposed to be doing already?
Let’s think of this all from God’s point of view.
God has been trying to show us how to love one another and take care of one another for a very long time. He has provided everything we need, and it hasn’t cost us anything.
God has given us the best marketing tool for life. He has given us opportunities to question ourselves, our society, and even Him.
He has also answered all the questions we ask every day. He answered all these questions in the Bible.
He gives us the How, When, Where, and WHY through the scriptures. However, understanding these answers is sometimes harder, leaving us with even more questions.
Jesus Christ was known for asking questions, and even asking God, as well as the people he encountered.
Martin B. Copenhaver, author of Jesus is the Question, explains, “Contrary to some common assumptions, Jesus is not the ultimate Answer Man, but more like the Great Questioner. In the Gospels, importantly Jesus asks many more questions than he answers. To be precise, Jesus asks 307 questions. He is asked 183 of which he only answers 3. Asking questions was central to Jesus’ life and teachings. In fact, for every question he answers directly he asks—literally—a hundred. Jesus is the Question that considers the questions Jesus asks—what they tell us about Jesus and, more important, what our responses might say about what it means to follow Him. Through Jesus’ questions, he modeled the struggle, the wondering, the thinking it through that helps us draw closer to God and better understand, not just the answer, but ourselves, our process and ultimately why questions are among Jesus’ most profound gifts for a life of faith.”[1]
God answers all our questions through His Son, Jesus Christ!
He gives us the answers of how, when, where, and why as we read the Bible, and read how Jesus lived His life through FAITH but even asked questions.
He lived life in faith, all the time knowing that He would be sacrificed for every single one of us and our sins, knowing He is the answer to all the questions we have.
Sure, we aren’t sure what tomorrow is going to bring for all of us, but we do know that no matter what happens, God has provided all the answers for us. We simply need to have faith.
Faith in a brighter tomorrow, knowing that no matter what is coming against us today, we are loved, and we are protected by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Knowing we are given HOPE.
Do I know what tomorrow is going to bring? No, I don’t.
But as I sit here looking outside my window, watching it rain, I am thankful for a faithful and loving God, who has given me an opportunity to watch the rain and see the beauty in knowing He has provided much needed moister for the earth.
I sit here knowing that even through a pandemic, God is protecting my family and me.
I rejoice in knowing I am saved, and I am given a calling in my life to share just how wonderful our God is, and to save a sinner like me, to use me for His will and glory.
God has saved you too! God has given you purpose, and a calling on your life. To ask the questions and not to have all the answers.
To watch the commercials, and know it’s okay, to think of others and have self-preservation at the same time.
Sure, we are all left with questions, and wondering how, what, when, where, and why, BUT He’s answered those questions already.
We are living proof that He is okay with us asking these questions, and even watching the commercials.
He’s okay with us asking them over and over because Jesus asked questions too, often very thought-provoking ones.
We just need to remember, He answers them.
Sometimes He answers our questions in simple ways, sometimes in more difficult ways, but HE does answer them.
So just like those in the marketing industry, how do we use what God has given us for self-preservation, and taking care of others?
We practice self-care through prayer, meditation, and through worship.
We are to love one another, as He has loved us.
Instead of looking outside and seeing a dark and rainy day, see the opportunity for the nourishing waters to pour down, and nurture life for growth and purpose.
We see the opportunity to help someone else who may be having a bad day and in need of a smile.
Instead of wondering if your neighbors and loved ones are going to call you first, take the initiative to call, text, or video check on them. Even a message on Facebook just to say HI and you’re thinking of them.
We have the power to change these questions into positive answers. We have the power to put others first in our lives by simply caring.
We are given hope, faith, and understanding to have answers for other questions, just as God provides those answers for us through Jesus Christ.
We have faith, and we have hope. WE have been given unconditional love and patients.
WE are all children of God, and we WILL get through all of this TOGETHER, knowing all our questions have already been answered!
Thanks Be to God!
[1] Copenhaver, M. B. (2014). Jesus is the Question. Nashville: Abingdon Press.
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