Question (noun): a sentence expressed so as to elicit information, test knowledge, or encourage discussion. The use of question as verb tends to mean to doubt or dispute.
A few weeks ago, I scrolled through the alphabetical “Words” list on the blog and realized that a few letters of the alphabet have yet be represented. Challenge accepted! I set about identifying the missing letters and potential words starting with those letters (I even asked my readers for suggestions). That leads me to today’s word: Question.
A unique characteristic of the word question is the different meanings it has when used as a noun versus a verb. As a noun, a question is neutral – it’s a useful tool to help obtain knowledge. As a verb, to question is negative – an expression of doubt. This blog post is mostly directed at the noun.
I use questions frequently in my daily journaling, my blog posts, and my conversations with God. In my writing, I frequently share questions I examined while researching the word I’m writing about, like I did with the word Harm. Sometimes I pose a series of questions to myself and my readers to encourage honest self-examination of our thoughts and actions (like the list I included in Perspective). The primary content of a few of my posts is really just a series of questions (see Enough for an example), because my research led me to more questions than answers about the word!
Questions are the most useful instrument in my toolbox of creativity as a writer.
They help me explore my beliefs, observe my behaviors, and deepen my understanding. As much as I rely on questions to explore my Faith, I don’t question the One in whom I’ve put my Faith. I don’t dispute God’s existence. I don’t doubt His Faithfulness and Goodness. I don’t question God, but I do ask Him questions as I struggle with my human condition and the brokenness in the world around me. I explore questions like “Why does God allow suffering?”
But asking questions and questioning are two different things (the noun vs the verb)!
While participating in a spiritual writing class a few months ago, I received a writing “prompt” to encourage the creative process. On the subject of “Cultivating Hope”, this prompt was provided: The right question to get through what is locked and blocked…. Here’s my response to that prompt.
Too often I get stuck on asking the question “Why?”
- Why me?
- Why, God, why?
- Why am I like this?
- Why can’t I change?
- Why did I do that?
- Why am I hurting myself?
- Why am I hurting others?
Questions that start with “Why” leave me locked and blocked. They are a defense mechanism. They deceive me, trick me into thinking I’m “working on it” but they leave me in the dark. A question starting with “why” is a device most often used by the Tempter.
What are better questions to ask myself? What are the “right” questions?
I’m going to try these instead:
- What if I can change?
- What can I learn from this mistake?
- How can I treat myself better?
- How can I make amends to those I hurt?
- Who does God say I am?
- Where can I make a difference today?
- What is the very next thing God is asking of me?
The right questions will pull me across the threshold into the “what I am becoming” future.
Last month, I was reading in John chapter 5 about the disabled man who waited by the healing pool for 38 years hoping for a miracle. In this story, Jesus poses the question to this man: “Do you want to get well?” Or in another bible translation, the question is presented as “Wilt thou be made whole?”
Look at this – Jesus used questions as tools as well! It seems like a no-brainer type of question – of course the man wants to be made well, right?! He’s been coming to this pool every day waiting for his turn to receive healing. As I look deeper into Jesus using the question to explore the man’s motivation and heart, I realize He might be asking me the same question. Do I want to be made whole? If the answer is “Yes”, then the next verses in the passage explain how to make that happen. Jesus says “Pick up your mat and walk” and the man becomes healed.
OK, to be made well, made whole, the steps are as follows: Encounter Christ. Take Action to follow His direction.
Simple steps to understand, more difficult to put into action. By experiencing Christ on a daily basis, discerning His Will and carrying it out, I will be on the path that leads to healing, recovery, and wholeness. Sign me up! See how exploring a question can lead to significant faith formation?!?
The church I attend has been doing a Sermon series for several weeks now called “I’m Just Asking”, and each week the pastor explores a question from Jesus recorded in the Gospels. Recently, the pastor examined the question Jesus poses to his disciples in Mark 8:29 ~ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Whoa. I had an immediate image of Jesus sitting next to me, gazing directly into my eyes, and laying down this question to me personally. Jesus inquiring with great curiosity: “C’mon Jamie, tell me, What am I to you?”
Is He my friend? Just a man in a book? A prophet? A historical Jewish leader? The Son of God? My personal Savior?
Who do I say He is when I talk to other people? Who do I say He is through my actions? If I say He is my Savior, do my decisions and behaviors reflect that? If I say He is my Lord, am I obedient to Him?
As I picture Jesus asking me this question – Who do you say I am? – I am certain He isn’t seeking a long-winded, theological answer from my mouth. He is using the question to examine my heart, and He asks me the same question every day.
- I answer His question by imitating Him, being like Him.
- I answer His question by reflecting His Light wherever I go.
- I answer His question by loving others as He loves them.
My words, thoughts, actions, and motives – the very way I live my life – answer His question. Every day I have the opportunity to cry out my answer to Him!
For some extra inspiration on the word Question, take a listen to Jeremy Camp’s song “The Answer”. Enjoy!