The Value of Questions
What She Said - Part 6
Sherry Bitler, Guest Writer
Today’s Treasure
He said to them, but who do you say that I am?
Matthew 16:15
I smile as I remember my mom walking into the playroom and asking, “Who was in the freezer and forgot to close the door tight?” I picture myself, years later, asking our children, “Who left their bike out in the yard instead of putting it away in the shed?” Life is certainly full of superficial everyday questions. But life also needs to be filled with the important questions that make a difference.
Personally, I am not skilled at asking questions. It is much easier for me to solve a problem or do a task. Because asking questions doesn’t come naturally to me, I don’t always give it the thought I should. I often Skype my sister with updates on our mother, who lives in an assisted living facility near me. My sister asks me a million questions; many, I never even thought to ask the staff. I am realizing that I need to be intentional – that I need to pray and ask the Lord to show me what to ask to help me see a fuller picture.
Asking questions is also a valuable and key tool in our relationship arsenal. They help us gather the information we need to accomplish a particular task, and they help us learn and understand other people’s perspectives, which can enhance relationships. Questions often provide clarity. Perhaps the most important questions are the ones we ask ourselves. A bulletin board recently asked a question that has taken root in my heart: “Have you prayed about it as much as you have talked about it?” Convicting.
Did Jesus ask questions? Yes!
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM? (Matthew 16:13-15) Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi and was asking His disciples who the people in the area say He is? They respond, John the Baptist, others say Elijah, others Jeremiah. But Jesus said to them, “Who do you say that I am?”
I stop to ask myself that question. Who do I say that Jesus is? Raised in the church, my mind is immediately bombarded with all the bible studies, stories, names of Jesus bookmarks, etc. But taking the time to see the ‘power tool’ question from Jesus himself, I dig deep into my heart.
“Sherry, who do you say that I am?” My heart cries thoughtfully, “You are God, loving me so much You left the comfort of Heaven as Jesus, the Son of God, and willingly suffered and sacrificed Your life to save me from the grips of my sin.” Then I sit still before the Lord and ponder the profound impact of the question and the need for profoundness in the answer. I let it engulf my spirit like a warm blanket.
PRAYER
Father, while my finite mind cannot fully comprehend Your love for me, please empower me to believe and trust. Help me with child-like abandon to give my heart to doing justice, being kind and living with humility.
Are there other women in your life who could benefit from a daily dose of encouragement? Forward this email so they can click on this link to Subscribe to Daily Treasure to be better equipped to walk by faith on the pathway God has marked out for them.
Sharon W. Betters is author of Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, co-author of Treasures of Faith. and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace, Flourishing in an Anti-Aging Culture. She is Director of Resource Development and co-founder of MARKINC.org, a non-profit organization that offers help and hope to hurting people. Sharon enjoys quality time with her husband, children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.