The Questنموونە

It’s a walk we’re on here. So imagine being on an extended backpacking trip with someone where ground rules were set for complete freedom of conversation as long as no one asked any questions. Talk your tongues dry but no inquiries allowed. Not even a basic, “How are you feeling?,” or “You getting hungry?” An interchange of statements would go well enough for a while, but, sooner or later, you’d no longer be talking with one another. You’d simply be listening to one another. That’s not dialogue. That’s diatribe. After enough diatribe, even the best listeners stop listening.

Unless routine has lulled us into sleepwalking, to walk with God is to be on a quest. And a quest is no quest without questions. The component of mutual inquiry is nowhere more fascinating than in a relationship with God. For starters, He doesn’t answer us aloud or write across the sky like we wish He would when we ask Him a question. He has, however, written across the scroll more answers than we can absorb in a lifetime. 

We have established five divine questions that, dare we answer, have the potential to recalibrate and reignite a walk with God that has gotten off track, stuck in a cul-de-sac, or has lost steam or our interest. Start today memorizing these questions. Get them so far down in the quick of your brain that you could list them in your dreams. The first two are asked by God the Father, and the last three are asked by Jesus the Son. Some are abbreviated for easy memorization.

“WHERE are you?” (Genesis 3:9)

“WHO told you that?” (Genesis 3:11)

“WHAT are you seeking?” (John 1:38)

“WHY are you afraid?” (Matthew 8:26)

“HOW much more ... ?” (Luke 11:13)*

Though you will encounter numerous other inquiries on the road ahead, answering these five will establish a baseline you can look back on for reflection and evaluation.

Your next few days will be preoccupied with these questions. Here’s the thing.

The effects of this excursion will not exceed your honesty. They will go exactly as deep as you are true. Nothing is off limits except dishonesty.

It will break the ankles of your walk with God.

*CSB, KJV, NASB, and The Message conclude Luke 11:13 with a question mark, while ESV, NIV, and NKJV use an exclamation mark for emphasis.