I, and many of us, rate the importance of a question to the importance of the answer to us. I mean, it obviously is less important, or has less consequences to our life, the answer to what I should eat today as compared to the answer to what course should I pursue in college.
From this half a century that I have lived on this earth, I surely have asked a numberless amount of questions. I find that the questions that have been the most defining questions I have asked in my life really pertains to God and the invisible Kingdom of God..
The questions are defining because they really does something to me, to my growth as a person, as a soul. All the other questions may do something to my temporal and visible life in the body, but adds nothing to my soul.
It is not so much the questions, but the answers that really are defining for me. In asking questions, I find answers. Some answers had been slow in coming, some almost immediate. Each time an answer comes, it liberates me. It increases the strength of my soul. It gives me a deeper perspective, a true-er understanding. And thus I began to understand Jesus' words, "And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."
When I was a young teenager new in church, I never asked any important questions. I just adopt wholesale whatever I heard in church, or read in any Christian books. I had a tremendous desire and hunger for spiritual truths and would read all sorts of books with promising titles.
What I heard, I just churned out, even teaching others too. I had not really asked. I was not taught to ask questions, just believe. So, whatever little nagging doubts I had, I just brushed them aside.
I mean, it would be so, err..out-of-place to ask questions when every one seem to be singing hallellujah and I..err were not really feeling all-joyful. So, I also tried to 'prep' myself by singing hallelujah along. And on the surface, many a times, it did work. My emotions are lifted up and all is fine.
But, really, the little doubts and questions remains buried for a season. There is little increase in the joy of the spirit though there may be an ease, a temporary 'lifting-up' of the emotions before I would need the next 'service'.
I have since learnt that my emotions may be moved, but it must not be my aim to be 'feeling lifted up', 'feeling spiritual', 'feeling near to God' etc. Emotions are good but they are to be my servant, not my master. Indeed, it can be dangerous for me to focus of how I feel. Emotions can deceive and has deceived me before.
A person kneeling down before a statue (I have read of such) was so overwhelmed with emotions with tears streaming down her face. A person watching a great concert can feel so lifted up that all the blues went away. But what does it do the the spirit of the person? Mainly untouched.
I discovered that being a woman, I can be rather emotional. Easily moved by emotions, up and down (and don't men sometimes find that exasperating??). As a child of God, I must not allow my emotions to rule me. I must not act according to how I feel. Rather, I must act by faith in who God is and what He has said and let my spirit (in union with God's Spirit) leads.
Anyway, back to questions. I discovered that I only get answers when I seriously desire an answer. When I come to God and ask Him my question. AND wait for Him to answer. Some answers are so unexpected. Some answers over time was revealed bit by bit. But every answer is significant.
How does asking spiritual questions benefit us and society? How does it help those in need? There is a statement made that some are so heavenly minded that they are of no earthly use.
Actually, nothing is further than the truth! He who would live life most beneficially for the sake of others is he who can see what life truly is and is not. He is one who knows the answers to life's questions and meaning and expresses it in his daily living.
But first, he needs to ask serious questions and seriously seek for the answer.
God's answers always satisfies. Direct every honest question to Him. There is no sincere question He does not welcome. In fact, He is delighted we ask them. Why so? Because He wants us to know the truth and be liberated to live life to its fullest.
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