Is it too much to ask?

To many, God is a God of answers. We cry out to Him, seeking a quick fix to a problem, a band-aid on a wound, an end to a dispute or a resolution to a crisis. But, as a visiting speaker to my church noted, God is also a God of questions and it is important that Christians also have a questioning mind.

God used a question in the way He reached out to Adam and Eve after they sinned. He asked: "Where are you?"

I have often wondered at that question, a question that an omniscient God should not even be asking because He would already have known where Adam and Eve were.

What had God hoped to achieve by asking such a seemingly unnecessary question?

The answer is clear when we look at the responses of Adam (God, I sinned because of Eve) and Eve (the serpent tempted me). Instead of taking responsibility for their actions, both Adam and Eve pushed the blame to others. This was why God wanted to ask that question - to gauge whether Adam and Eve were willing to take ownership of their lives and actions or to relegate it to others. As well, He wanted to ascertain whether Adam and Eve would be honest with Him. He asked the right question and well...we all know the end result.

Questions serve us well in evangelism. Asking the right questions can open doors for us to tell non-Christians about Christ. As Christians, we are called to spread the Gospel, but most often than not, people respond first to our ability to be sensitive to their needs and concerns and to establish a meaningful relationship with them first even before they are willing to hear our story and be receptive to the message of salvation. Asking the right questions could help us understand their fears, concerns and needs, and enable us to reach out to them in a way that touches their hearts.

Questions also help illuminate the Word in our lives. Whenever we have doubts about Jesus, God, the Bible or issues such as suffering, pain or poverty, we should not be afraid to ask God, our pastors, our cellgroup leaders or the more mature Christians. Many Christians would probably grow deeper and broader in their walk with God if they started asking more questions about their faith. Our pastors, our cellgroup leaders or our more mature Christian friends may not have all the answers but they would be able to offer sound counsel and point us to God's Word for the answers. As for questions to which no human can offer answers, God will reveal them to us when He comes.

God has given us an intellect. We should use it.