It is only human nature, I guess, to ask why? We start from the moment we can talk asking why this why that. One of my biggest questions to God is always, why? Why did this person get sick, why did this or that happen, and of course, why do you want me to do that?
Sometimes when I ask, later down the road I get the answer, and really wish I hadn’t ever asked why in the first place.
Why God Why?
As was with Nehemiah, Joel, and a host of others, I have had an ongoing discussion with myself (and God) over the last several years about why I ask God why. I think part of asking God why is a lack of faith more than curiosity. Faith knowing that God knows what is best for my life, and I don’t. I know the ultimate answer, the why doesn’t matter, all things work for God’s good.
I bring it up now in a post mainly because of the summer’s events like Matthew Butler (see Matthew Butler Killed at Zion Gate) and others, and ultimately we are asking the question, why evil acts take place or why God allows these things to happen. I certainly don’t know the answer but I know what Romans 8:28 says.
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
This is a simple verse to read, but to me, one of the most complex verses in Romans. Different versions or translations put key words in different places but some of the interesting words to look up in the NASB are “God causes” and “called”, “purpose”, “all things”, and so on. Doing a side by side comparison is very interesting.
Is Asking God Why So Important?
How do we answer this question many times when asked by a very small child… because I told you to. Do we not become annoying some times with the question ourselves? Over the years we all develop these little pet peeves and one of mine that keeps getting a little more well defined is when people ask me why other people do what they do. I can barely explain to someone why I am doing something but no way can I figure out why other people do what they do.
People [we] are strange, and they do strange things, rarely can I determine why, so, I really don’t like to be asked. But, if it annoys us, does it annoy God? I don’t think so but I don’t think we can even begin to understand how God thinks so it might be futile to ask the question here. So ultimately, is the why really important? The what, how, and when are probably more important of the little words we like, but not quite as fun I guess.
Do you ask God why? For me, I try to remember Romans 8:28 and know that “why” isn’t always the most important thing, for me anyway.
4 responses to “Is it Really Important to Ask God Why Anymore?”
Good post. Two important points about Romans 8:28
1) “We Know” We are reading a comment from people who KNOW from experience that in all things God works for the good of we who love Him and who have been called by Him for His purpose.
2) Verse 29 explains what that good is – we have been predestined and called to be conformed to the likeness of Christ Jesus. Knowing that allows us to look for those changes in each and every circumstance, even the layoff that comes just before Christmas.
Anyhow, your post shows the words of a mature Christian. God bless. Enjoy Him forever.
@makarios very good point… I should have also made the point that the inference I made what from the point of view of those who follow Jesus.
I always try to look at scripture in context and not do the yellow page point through, so including v29 would have been a good idea, thanks.
Very helpful..thanks!! I have been asking “Why?” over and over again. It’s tough. Matthew was such a sweet soul. So was Steve. The most difficult thing I struggle with is that I believe that God does give us the desires of our heart because He puts them there. My desire and my prayer for Matthew was that God would keep him safe and relatively happy in this life. I prayed every day for my son. I get angry at God and wonder why He didn’t keep Matthew safe. He was happy, had a wonderful wife and two beautiful kids, he loved being a daddy and his business was just starting to take off after 2 and 1/2 years. I just don’t get it. We miss him so much and want him back. I know that if Matthew could even come back, he wouldn’t and he would say to us, “Are you kidding me? You wouldn’t believe this place, the people I’ve met and the loved ones I’m reunited with. I’ll see ya’ll when you get here! Take care of Jamie and the kiddos. I love you guys.” It’s hard to care now what the “good” is.
[…] last few posts about Matthew Butler and after hearing from his mother and his widowed wife, I wrote Is it Really Important to Ask God Why Anymore?, and that is a little how I feel right now. Why bother asking why, it isn’t up to us, no […]