I know...its been a while!

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

(This one is long. I had to make up for the break.)

I am quiet certain that everyone who has any interaction with the general public has been annoyed at some point by those of us who ask questions. Often times we are uncomfortable with questions when they become too personal or when the questioner passes the, ‘questions allowed’, mark we have subconsciously created in our minds. It is very easy for us to dismiss those who ask questions as being nosey or way too curious. In my own experience there have been many times I walked away from a conversation and labeled a person as being entirely too inquisitorial. However, I had to stop and ask myself a few questions. Was that person asking questions just for the mere fact of being nosey? What were they intending to gain from asking me so many questions? Why am I annoyed that they are asking me questions?

I must first of all stop in my rambling to inform you, I do believe there are those who ask questions just to feed their starving curiosity. Many people are hungry for information and they thrive off the idea of knowing everyone’s personal details. People of this nature will go through great hassles and jump through many hoops to gain information and get a fix for their addiction. These are the types of people who will spend multiplied hours and long nights browsing blogs and constantly checking people’s profiles on various social networking sites to make sure to keep up with the latest events. I don’t believe that all who browse blogs or webpage’s are nosey or overly curious, just some.

I have come to write this post because I find great pleasure in meeting and getting to know people beyond just a hand shake and a back slap. There is a communion and a connection that can be gained through knowing more about the other person. Questions can often times be uncomfortable to answer and also to ask. Sometimes we get the feeling that the question we would like to ask someone is going to be received in a hostile way. And rather than thinking the question through and finding a way to communicate what we have in mind, we dismiss the question and often feel somewhat frustrated in the end when we walk off. The problem in most cases is not the question itself; it is the manner in which the question is asked. It also has a lot to do with the timing, the setting and the mood in which the question is being asked. Another issue that arises is how the recipient will perceive our inquiry.

I understand that I could write an entire book on the what, when, why and how of questions. And yet my goal is to point out one thing that has always amazed and intrigued me. Every conversation that we engage in is made up of questions and answers. Sometimes the questions and/or answers are not verbal. We can ask a question in the way we speak by changing the pitch, tone and/or volume of our voice. We can also answer in the same manner. Many times people will ask a question or answer verbally one way and yet you can tell by their expression that their words are in contrast with their thoughts. As you begin to know a person better, you will feel more of a liberty to ask them questions and bring to them certain propositions you would not ordinarily bring to just anyone.

This is how we draw closer to God. If you desire to know God in a deeper and more powerful way than ever, you must begin to try and understand his ways. And the only way to know more about God is to ask him to reveal himself. This action requires questions. Have you ever kneeled down and just began to pray “God what’s your will for my life? Can you teach me to pray? Will you give me a desire to worship and a passion for your kingdom?” I wonder what we would feel like if God looked at us in disgust and exclaimed to his angels that he was getting annoyed at all the questions those nosey people are asking. I’m sure we wouldn’t want to draw closer or know him more.

The good thing is that God loves for us to ask him questions. Because he loves to answer and when he answers, we get to know him more and more. It is through the process of questions and answers that we build a strong and powerful and unmovable relationship with God. And once that type of relationship is built, then it will be near impossible for others to convince you that God is this or that. It is through the questions and answers that you find out who God “REALLY” is. God will also ask you questions and listen to your answers. And when the adversary brings false charges against you, God will dismiss them and smile because he knows who you “really” are.

So next time you get annoyed at someone for asking you questions be sure to stop and think. Are they being nosey or do they care and if they do care, how much do I care. I believe that it is through questions and answers that we all will find close friends and lifelong comrades. My word to you in conclusion is, ASK A QUESTION!