POWERFUL QUESTIONS
The power of the “question” cannot be overstated. As a divine tool of communication, questions can inspire us, challenge us, and lead us to profound insights. The most impactful questions, however, come from God Himself. I am reminded of Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (NIV). My personal journey with questions from God continues to evolve, leading to moments of revelation, humility, and faith. Today, I share one such episode with you.
Let me emphasize that this narrative is akin to a Netflix series – unfinished and unpredictable. No binge-watching to glean the ending here. Instead, we have the unique privilege of observing God as He unveils the next chapter, step by step.
Our story begins with a seemingly mundane home improvement task. My wife, Patty, and I were planning a large closet for our 23-year-old daughter’s bedroom. With her expanding professional wardrobe, our daughter needed more storage space. I quickly devised a plan, as I usually do, and confidently conveyed it to our handyman. Coincidentally, I was also having a session with my “Decision-Making Coach,” Buddy Westbrook’s book, author of: Come Talk With Me. (Buddy is my mentor). I held firm to my belief that God is indifferent to minor decisions, ones where I feel certain of my direction, requiring no divine advice, guidance, or permission. After all, building a closet was a trivial matter, or so I thought.
As I nestled into bed that night, I followed Buddy’s advice, contrary to my initial instincts. I asked God, “Is there anything that I am not seeing about this project?” The response I received was a simple, “What about the sauna?” Long story short, my original plan would have depreciated our home’s value, whereas repurposing an underutilized sauna into a walk-in closet would enhance it. By posing one simple question to God: “Am I missing anything in this decision I am making?” I discovered a superior path. This resonated with Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (NIV).
Regrettably, I don’t often seek God’s input in minor matters, mainly out of pride and an overconfidence in my abilities. Lord Jesus, please forgive my arrogance. I only know a fraction of Your wisdom, yet I routinely overlook Your guidance in the details of my life, erroneously assuming that I shouldn’t bother You with trivial matters. I now see how misguided this is – I need Your input in all things, no matter how big or small.
God’s message to me was clear: He cares about every facet of my life. By involving Him more frequently and asking Him more questions, I can benefit from His divine wisdom far more than I have before. I’ve been taught to seek His guidance in significant matters, gradually learning to include Him in medium-sized ones. But this experience has illuminated that even the smallest concerns, like “where to build a closet”, can benefit significantly from a simple query: “Lord, what am I missing here, if anything?”
Our Heavenly Father encourages us to ask Him anything, reinforcing our reliance on Him. Developing the habit of seeking His guidance on even the most mundane matters will instinctively draw us closer to Him. He assures us, like in Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (NIV). By remaining in a state of attentive listening, we are bound to gain greater insights and wisdom.
My realization has been profound: in the grand scheme of things, my knowledge pales in comparison to God’s omniscience. What truly matters is knowing Him, understanding that I can always seek His wisdom, and trusting that He will often respond when I:
1. Humbly ask.
2. Truly listen.
3. Faithfully follow His advice when given.
In learning this powerful lesson, I feel a sense of accomplishment. Not because of my deeds, but because of the guidance of the Holy Spirit and Buddy, who patiently listened to my presumptuous arguments. Despite my apparent wisdom, I know very little. God knows everything. I pray that I never forget this truth, especially when I’m on the verge of making a hasty decision without seeking His counsel. I end with a smile and an eager heart, ready to continue my journey with God, one question at a time.
Now, if you would like to see some of the conversation that transpired between me and God around this, here it is:
TWO-WAY PRAYER
Lord Jesus, please forgive me for my pride. I think I know what I am doing, and I don’t. Even in areas of expertise I know nothing compared to you. And you care about me, and every aspect of my life. So often, I just don’t want to bother you with the “little things.” And so often, I think I don’t need your help. Clearly, I am wrong. I need you for everything. I need to go to you for everything. And, I need to listen to you.
Dear child, I am interested in every small detail of your life. This is just an example to help you see that I do truly care about all of your life, and I can help you much more than I do now if you would come to me more often, and ask me questions.
OK, Lord. You have made me a believer in this process of asking you about the “little things” of life. I know to come to you on the really big things, have been learning to come to you about the medium-size things, but now see clearly that even the smallest of things, like “where to build a closet” can be better informed by asking you: “Lord, what am I missing here, if anything?”
Yes, child. Ask away. You can ask me anything. There is nothing too small to ask about. I enjoy your questions, and the more you ask of me, the more reliant you become on me. This habit you will form of asking about the seemingly “little” things will create an instinctive response in you, that whenever you are about to make a decision, you can whisper a question to me. I assure you that I hear you, and if you stay in “listening mode” you will gain greater insight, learn more, benefit from the act of asking, and learn a thing or two.
Yes, Lord. I just may learn a “thing or two” from you. You who know everything. And me, who knows nothing. At the end of the day, all I need to know is you, and that I can ask you anything, and that if you have something to say, you will. If I would only:
1. Humbly ask.
2. Truly listen.
3. Follow your advice when you give it.
My child, you have learned a powerful lesson today. And, I am glad you used our time to teach others. Good work.
Well Lord, it is your Holy Spirit that did the work. And Buddy, who patiently is listening to the arrogant fool, me, who thinks he is so wise. I know nothing. You know everything. Please help me to remember that, lest I get a full head of steam again and start ripping out a perfectly good wall. Smile.
Your aspiring servant,
Daniel M.
20 June 2023
POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent conversation with God blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, reach out at Daniel@SOLIDpastors.org. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily Conversations with God.
English 
Spanish