The Why's

Day one hundred forty-nine

I have been very blessed to have worked with the youth for so many years, they have become part of my family.  So there is a sweetness that comes with being invited to come and listen to them speak at church, or to be invited to their weddings, or to see them make the sacrifice to go on a mission.  I am grateful for every single one of these moments and this morning I wanted to let the Lord know how much I appreciate them.  One of my students is speaking this morning and I will be there listening and watching them, wondering where did the time go?  I will also be grateful that I have the opportunity to once again be taught be him.  I asked that the Lord would be with him as he speaks today, that the words he needs will be giving to him, and that the Spirit might be with those in the congregation so that they might recognize the message he has prepared.

Deuteronomy

WHY? WHY WOULD THE LORD ASK ME TO DO THAT?
WHY DO I HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULES?
WHY LORD DO YOU MAKE THINGS SO HARD SOMETIMES?
WHY DOES IT SEEM LIKE THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING MORE FOR ME TO DO?

Perhaps you have heard yourself say these words a few times in your life.  Maybe you were facing some difficult challenges in your life or you were faced with a tough decision and you were wondering why you should make the right choice.  The Why's are hard to let go of, just when you think you have them under control a new Why pops up and soon they multiply and the Why's seem to be all you are thinking about.

The Lord knows we have questions and want to seek answers so that we can understand.  The problem is that we aren't always prepared to hear the answer or willing to do the work to find the answer.  I once heard a speaker say that the answers to all our prayers are already given to us, we just have to find them.

One place we can find answers to the Why's in our lives is in the scriptures.  Deuteronomy 8 is a great chapter to look for the Lord's answers to some why questions:

Verse 1
The question: Why do we have to keep all the commandments?
The answer:  So that you might live, multiply, and prosper in the land

Verse 2
The question:  Why do I need to remember the trials that I have been through in my life?
The answer:  So that you will be humble, and prove yourself to God, and so he can now what is in our hearts.

Verse 3
The question:  Why do I need to be humble and suffer?
The answer:  So that you can recognize that you cannot live without Him!

Unless we go looking for these answers, they might remain unknown.  Before you read the scriptures, stop and pray about the Why's in your life, let the Lord know that you are seeking answers, and then read the verses searching for the answers that the Lord has already given us.  Maybe we can change the Why's to:

ME!
YES ME!
I WAS THE ONE CHOSEN!
CAN YOU IMAGINE?
IT'S ME!
FROM EVERYONE ELSE!

THE KING OF ALL KINGS CHOSE ME
TO BE THE ONE TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE
NOW HE'S TRYING TO GET MY ATTENTION!
PLEASE! MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE!  THINK THE RIGHT THOUGHTS!
HE IS TESTING ME!
BECAUSE HE LOVES ME!
AND WANTS ME TO BECOME CLOSER TO HIM!