Good Question

 



I saw this and thought it went perfectly with my ‘Be Intentional’ theme this year. This year I want to focus on creating a purposeful life. A life filled with meaningful moments, joy, laughter, growth, peace, gratitude, and so much more. Less worry, more fun. Not just existing but living a fulfilling life. To create this life, I will need to make some changes, create some habits, ask some questions, and be brave enough to step out of my comfort zone. 

There will be lots of choices to make, some big (like where to live), and some small (like what to eat for breakfast), but all of them filled with potential. A simple way for me to evaluate my options is to ask myself, “Does this support the life I am trying to create?” If not, then adios! I want to get in the habit of questioning the worth of my decisions in creating a better life. I also want to make sure that my answers are in tune with God.

I did a little research in the scriptures about asking questions and was struck by the number of questions Jesus asks in the scriptures. By one estimate Jesus asked as many as 307 questions in the Gospels! His questions may seem simple at first, but they were really meant to get people thinking on many levels and often were meant for a larger audience than just the person in front of him. His questions started conversations that lead to faith, conviction, and understanding. One example is found in Matthew 16:13-15 (KJV):

“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 

And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?"

A powerful conversation ensues because of these two questions. Powerful conversations still happen today because of these two questions. At some point in our own journey with Christ we must answer these questions for ourselves as we choose to live a life with Jesus. 

I appreciate the power in questions. My question "Does this support the life I am trying to create?" takes me to many levels in my thoughts. That's how I know it's a good question to ask. It helps me pause and really think through my decisions and the consequences, whether good or bad, of the choices I make. 

Jesus is a master in the art of asking the right questions. Something I aspire to improve in my own life. I might need to put this question on a sticky note and hang it somewhere I can see it every day to remind me to keep on track. In those crazy moments of life when distractions creep in and vie for my attention, I will need a reminder to stop and ask myself this question and decide if the distractions are worth it or if it's time to let them go and move forward. Asking good questions is part of living intentionally.

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