"... What do you seek? ..."
~ John 1:38
I suppose this week's blog image could be a stock photo, but it's not.
Those two stones sit front and center under my computer monitor. They stare me down every single time I pull up my chair to work.
One is to remind me that my number one job in this world is to love well. And the Truth stone, painted for me by a dear friend, reminds me that it is my job to speak and stand for the Truth, to the best of my ability, as I seek to sprinkle salt and shine light in this weary world.
Those reminders probably hold true for all of His children. In anchoring to Him, the stones illustrate part of my anchor. But, the question becomes, how do we do those things well?
I have spent a great deal of time in this life trying to figure out how to ask better questions. I suspect questions might be a clever and critical key to both loving well and Truth-telling... or opening the door to do so at any rate.
Everyone wants to be seen and heard and known. Questions are a wonderful access to giving someone that gift and getting the privilege of seeing them as the child of God they are.
We so often say, "How are you?"
That's okay, there's nothing wrong with that particular question, it's a kindness even. But, it can also be a conversation stopper. When the answer is, "Fine." Or, "Good." Or, "Okay." Or, "Meh." It's not a very powerful starting line. Where do you really go from there when the response is often a conversation stopper.
What if instead, the questions were more along the lines of...
"What's been most on your mind and heart through this most recent season of life?"
Maybe you're not going to let that one loose with a perfect stranger; but on the other hand, what if you did?
How about...
"If you found yourself pulled into something completely unexpected, but it was something that would leave you completely delighted, lit you up, and had you excited to launch out of bed every morning, what would it be?"
Or, maybe...
"Of all the things you've ever done, what leaves you with a warm glow of pride and a smile on your face?"
You know, questions like that.
What if we got really, truly, authentically curious about each other?
Do you know who was great at asking questions?
I bet you can guess...
Why, Jesus of Nazareth, of course.
Did you know that, according to author Martin B. Copenhaver, He actually asked a hundred times as many questions as He answered directly?
True story.
More often than not, when asked a question, He responded with a poignant question of His own.
Mark 5:30 - "Who touched My garments?"
Matthew 8:26 - "Why are you so afraid?"
Mark 7:18 - "Do you not understand?"
Luke 14:3 - "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?"
Mark 4:40 - "Do you still have no faith?"
Luke 9:20 - "Who do you say I am?"
Mark 2:8 - "Why do you reason these things in your hearts?"
And on, and on, and on I could go.
If He was inclined to ask powerful questions and we're meant to become ever-more like Him, then shouldn't we endeavor to also ask better questions?
Just a li'l food for thought this Monday.
Abba Father,
I know quite well the gift of Your Holy Spirit to put words in our mouths in opportune moments.
Today I pray especially for robust, meaningful questions.
May You fill us with questions that would forge the relationships, connection, and rapport that would enable us to show Your children that they are seen and loved, and to present Your Truth, wherever you would have us shine Your lovely light.
All this we pray in the name of Your Son, Yeshua.
Amen.
"... What are you discussing so intently as you walk along? ..." ~ Luke 24:17
"What do you want Me to do for you?" ~ Mark 10:51
"... Do you love Me? ..." ~ John 21:17
May the Good Lord bless you and keep you, friends... always, in all ways. Amen.
Bonus song of praise... ♥ A most excellent question.
Sharables! ...and, hey, thanks for sharing. ♥
********************* Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture citations are sourced from The Holy Bible, Study Bible, BSB
Copyright ©2016, 2018 by Bible Hub
Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
*********************