Retreat Reflections III - 4 Questions God Will Ask

"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." 2 Chronicles 16:9a

This blog entry is the last in a brief series highlighting some of the issues we touched on at our Spring Women's Retreat. The last entry mentioned 4 questions God will never ask. This time we will briefly touch on 4 questions God will and does ask of each of us at different times:

1) Do you love me? (John 21:15-17)
2) Do you believe? (Mark 9:24)
3) Is this really what you want? (Proverbs 14:12)
4) Are you ready to let go? (Matthew 10:39)

As a student in high school, I discovered that my favorite teacher was an American History teacher who was always asking questions. I learned the most from him because he made me think and search and explore and ask why!

As one who enjoys teaching now, I often find the most effective way to get a point across is to ask questions and cause those I am teaching to search for the truth. When it comes to the issues of life and purpose and reality, there is only one truth - His name is Jesus. He said in John 10:10, " I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but through me." He never forced himself on anyone when he walked this earth. The same is still true today--God will never force himself on you. But he will ask you some very pointed questions in order to get you to think and search and explore. He doesn't even mind if we ask "why" but the answers may not always come when we think we need them. Psalm 18:30 says that His ways are perfect.

God is looking for committed hearts. Look at the 4 questions above and allow Him to ask them of you.

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Jim Elliot

Retreat Reflections II - 4 Questions God Never Asks

"My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine." Isaiah 55:8-9

For those of you who did not get a chance to go on our Spring Retreat, we talked at one point about 4 questions that God never asks. Let me outline them to you briefly:

1) Are you comfortable?
2) What can I do to make you like me?
3) When would you like this trial to end?
4) Is this a good time to talk?

We all chuckled to ourselves as these were read but our laughter turned to reflection pretty quickly. Perhaps because we have all grown up in this western "me centered" society, we forget that God isn't concerned about our comfort, our wants and our priorities. He loves us too much to be distracted by such things. His main goal for all of us is that we would be made more like his Son Jesus. That can only happen as we allow Him to totally change the way we think. Romans 12:2 says, " Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is."

Next post we will look at some questions that God does ask us and how to look for the answers.