Home » Thoughts for the Week » Why?

Why?

The question, “why?” is an important and powerful one.

It is often one of the most basic questions a person can ask. Children grow up asking this question, with things like, “why is the sky blue”, “why do I have to go to school?”, or more embarrassingly, usually at the top of their voice when you’re walking down the fruit and veg aisle in Tesco “why does that man have no hair ?“!

The question, “why?” is frequently an attempt by one person to understand something. Granted, continually asking the same question over and over again can become irritating (and I’m not just thinking of children!), but it is nonetheless an attempt to gain understanding.

How we respond to the question, “why?” is also important.

We could respond dismissively; “because it is just the way it is!” That may well end the line of questioning, but it will often leave the questioner dissatisfied. Indeed, if we think about it, we haven’t really answered the question at all, have we?

As disciples of Jesus, I believe the question of “why?” is one we should continually ask: of ourselves, and of the church. Why do we believe what we believe? Why do we behave in the way we that do? Why do we do certain things in worship and in service? Why?…why?…why?…

Equally, how we answer these questions truly matters. If the answer is, “because we’ve always done it this way”… well, that’s not good enough!

We are not called to be unthinking robots who mindlessly follow: we are the people of God, redeemed through His Son, Jesus Christ, and we should know why we do what we do – seen as we are meant to be doing it in His name.

I, therefore, encourage the question of “why?”. By reflecting on why we believe or do certain things, we will either reinforce that we are doing the right thing, or challenge ourselves to move toward the right thing. I therefore invite you to reflect on your life and your ministry, in fact on the life of the EBA, to ensure we are doing the right things for God…and if we’re not, it begs the question “why not?”

Because, ultimately, that is what matters. As we ask, “why?” and reflect on the answer, we should eventually reach the foundational answer: we do this for the glory of God. It is the glory of God alone which should matter most to us as Christians, and it is His glory we should seek in all we do.

Paul wrote in his letter to the Church in Corinth: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

If we are confident that what we say / do / believe glorifies God, then let us do it all the more. If what we say / do / believe does not glorify God, then we would do well to set it aside so we can concentrate more on the things which do bring Him glory.

This Thought for the Week has been written by Claire Blatchford

Photo by The 77 Human Needs System on Unsplash.