The email started off in the usual way; “hey Brian. How’s it going? I’m good. I have a question. Well, actually I have a lot of questions.”

Right then the email took a different turn and ended in a way I was not expecting. It ended with me staring out my office window and then writing this post.

You see…the email I received contained a list of questions from a teen. Every question was asking WHY. As I read through the list I realized I had no answers to any of the questions. But that was not the teen’s intention. As I said the email ended in a way I was not expecting.

“I know you can’t answer my questions. Don’t worry I don’t expect you to because I don’t think you can. Is it okay to ask why questions that no one has answers to? Why are we afraid to ask why? Is it because we’re afraid others will think we’re crazy. And how come some people ‘think’ they have the answers to my questions when they really don’t. Why can’t they just admit they don’t know instead of giving the typical ‘church people’ answers? In case you’re wondering what I mean by church people answers here is an example. God has a plan for your life, and we’re not meant to know so don’t think about it just pray. Here is another question, if God created me to think and has given me a conscience to know he exists then why can’t I think and even ask the why questions. Maybe I’m not making sense. Anyway I think it’s more then okay to ask God any question we want at least he’ll be honest with me and let me know I’m not meant to know the answer yet. I just wanted to share……….”

In keeping with the theme I have some questions of my own. Do you agree with what this teen has shared? I do. I mean…who said we can’t ask why? And why do some people feel they have to give the “church people” answer? I believe deep down all of us have WHY questions that sometimes can’t be answered or are not meant to be answered until we face God. In the meantime I say keep asking because if we’re asking that means we’re talking with God, and when we’re talking with God we’re growing closer to God. Think about this for a moment; how many times do little kids run to their daddy and ask the WHY questions and dad is thrilled to listened? So let’s all start running to our heavenly Daddy like a little child and ask Him why. I know He’ll get excited seeing you come running with your questions even if He can’t give you an answer right now.

The email I received had me sitting at my desk staring out the window thinking about my own WHY questions. I thought I’d open myself up a little bit and share what some of them are:

• Why don’t we (Kim and I) have any children of our own?
• Why do we (Christians) hurt each other verbally when we should be the example of love?
• Why did God choose blue for the color of the sky?
• Why did my sister have to be born blind?

I have one last question. What WHY questions do you have, and are you asking God?

Your response: