Anyone with small children can attest, kids ask a lot of questions. They do so repetitively I might add. It’s their primary method of learning, especially at a young age.
“Why?”, seems to be at the top of the question asking list. My children asked this question often as they were growing up. I hate to say it, those times are a distant memory now.
However, I now get to enjoy some payback time as I watch my grandchildren interact with each other and with their parents.
I have witnessed each of my grandchildren take aim at their Mom or Dad with rapid fire, empty-the-chamber with rounds of questions. Personally, I enjoy this aspect of their lives as it makes me chuckle.
Why is it raining?
Why can’t we read another story?
Why can’t I have another snack?
As adults, we too have questions. Ours seem to take on a more serious tone.
Why is this happening to me?
Why didn’t I get the promotion?
Will I be able to pay the mortgage this month?
Some time ago, two questions were deposited into my mind and I can’t seem to escape them (nor do I want to).
One question mirrors the other. Allow me to explain.
The former question is posed by Jesus to His disciples and has a factual answer as found in Matthew 16: 13-19 (The Passion Translation).
While with His disciples Jesus asks them some probing questions, He wants to hear what the talk of the town might be and more importantly, what is going on in their minds about their relationship with Him.
“What are the people saying about me, the Son of Man? Who do they believe I am?”
To which the disciples answered,
“Some are convinced you are John the Baptizer, others say you are Elijah reincarnated, or Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
In another version, He point blank asks them.
“Who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter interjects,
“You are the Anointed One, the Son of the living God!”
Jesus replies,
“You are favored…son of Jonah! For you didn’t discover this on your own, but my Father in heaven has supernaturally revealed it to you. I give you the name Peter, a stone.”
The latter question, came to me out of the blue and without actually thinking about it. I believe it was in response to my prayers and is one which the Holy Spirit posed to me for deeper reflection.
As noted above, Jesus lays His cards on the table and asks His followers, “Who do you say that I am?”
Innocent enough.
As believers, we rest on the fact the “the sheep recognize His voice”.
He spoke, I listened.
He flips the tables on me and whispers in my ear,
“I want you to ask Me the same question but in relation to you and your identity. I want to tell you what I think of you.”
I decided to follow the script He has placed before, as weird as it felt at the moment.
“Jesus, who do You say that I am?”
That kind of thing can open a whole can of worms.
However, I have learned to trust Him over the past forty-five years since I welcomed Him into my life on a relational level.
He would not bash me. His response was kind and reassuring.
Sharing His thoughts with me from the perspective of His Father he said,
“You are a much loved son.”
He then reminded me of words a friend of ours spoke into my life last year and He reiterated them to me.
“Sue was right. You are a mighty sequoia. You are strong, steadfast, and you can be depended upon.”
As a side note, Jackie bought me a ring with a sequoia band embossed on it to reinforce this message from the heart of the Father to me.
He previously showed me,
“You are a ready writer.”
Very reassuring as I continue to step forward into these new and unchartered waters.
Questions-questions yield answers-answers.
I know how the above might sound. You might be thinking that I may have lost my marbles (a reasonable bet on any given day).
However, my experience is my experience and it is very real to me. This one came at a time where I needed to hear the reassurances as like you, my life is full of questions.
Some have been answered. Others, the jury is still out.
I would like to pose a question to you. Have you ever asked God to ask you “who do you say that I am?”
To me, I like to think of it as an open invitation to see the world, most specifically your world, how He sees it.
I picked up a new book and started reading it today. A thought was expressed in it. There are billions and billions of stars in the universe when we look at the nighttime sky. In the same way, there are billions and billions of cells which make up the tiniest of organisms.
Equally mystifying.
If the stars and microscopic cells can get His attention, what about you?
You have been sequestered in your home for weeks now. The pace has slowed. You might actually be looking for something to do. I would encourage you to find a quiet spot and ask Him a similar question as He cares deeply for you.
“Jesus, who do you say that I am?”
By asking the question-question you might be surprised at the answer-answer and discover what is on His heart toward you.
You will never know unless you try. Until next time…blessings.