The Saturday Journal: Questions. Curiosity and Hope.

We were on a road trip–he, in the back seat and me in the driver’s seat. I told him I was proud of him and then I asked, do you know what being an inquisitive learner is?  And he said, 'no, not really.' 

He recently won an award at his school for being an inquisitive learner.  

‘It means you are not afraid to ask questions–you are curious about things, intrigued and want to learn more,’ I explained. 

He quietly replied, ‘Oh, okay.’  And then he said, ‘Where’s your Bible Granna? Do you have it?  I want to read you something.’

‘It’s in my purple bag in the back seat.’ 

‘He reached into my bag–turning the pages, he found Exodus 20 and started reading to me, The Ten Commandments and we talked about one other commandment in the New Testament.  Love thy neighbor as thyself. 

Just a few days later, it was my grandson and granddaughter and me–on the road again–this time a short drive traveling to their after school dance and swim practices. These car rides–sometimes they argue like brothers and sisters do–other times they talk about their day at school. Today they chose to ask questions. 

 And out of the blue my granddaughter yells, ‘Why do people believe we come from monkeys? That’s crazy!’ 

I laughed. 

‘They’ve never read Genesis’, my grandson shouts.  

‘Yes, that’s true, I replied. ‘The Bible clearly says, God created man and woman in His image. He created us last.’

My granddaughter was quick to correct me, ‘No, Granna. He rested on the seventh day.  It was the sixth day He created Adam and Eve.’

'You are correct,' I smiled and then asked, ‘Have you ever wondered why God created us last? He loves us most.  More than all His other creations. I don’t know the answer to that question myself–but here’s what I believe. God saved His best for last, but think about this–if God had created Adam and Eve first, they would have been in His presence and watched as He created the world and all the wonderful creatures. Maybe He created them last to strengthen their faith–they had to believe He created it all without seeing. He created it for them, and for you and me.  And maybe He wanted to prepare their home first–make it a perfect place to live. Like heaven.’ 

And then more questions and conversations ignited like a flame from the back seat. 

Questions like…

“What happens when we die? Will we be with Jesus?” 

“Why don’t we know more about Jesus’ life? When He was a toddler?”

“When we are in heaven will we only remember the good memories?”

“Has Jesus always been with God?” 

“Will we get to pick a favorite age when we get to heaven?” 

And more.

Now remember this was a “short” drive to where we were going. Fifteen minutes to be exact. 

‘Listen,’ I said, ‘Those are all great questions and to be honest I can’t explain some of them, but I’ll try as best as I can to answer from what I know the Bible says. 

“What happens when we die? Will we be with Jesus?” 

‘Remember the thief on the cross? Jesus told him he would be in paradise with Him because he believed in Jesus. Another scripture tells us, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. 

So yes, if we are saved–believing with all our whole hearts Jesus is the Son of God–asking Him to cleanse us from our sins– we will be with Jesus.' 

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:42-43) 

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8)

“Why don’t we know more about Jesus’ life? When He was a toddler?

“We do know a little more–when the Wise Men visited Him in His home rather than in the manger as a baby, unlike all our Christmas decorations and sometimes how our Christmas programs tell the story. The Bible describes the Wise Men seeing Jesus with His mother in the house. He could have possibly been a toddler then.’

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)

‘And the next time we hear of His life as a young boy was when He was twelve years old teaching in the temple. You both know that story. And then we learn about His earthly ministry when he’s around 30 years old.  But the Bible doesn’t tell all of Jesus’ story. The last verse in the book of John in the New Testament says and I love this verse, there were so many other things Jesus did the whole world couldn’t hold the books written.' 

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. John 21:25

“When we are in heaven will we only remember the good memories?”

‘I don’t know, but I believe we won’t remember any bad memories or sad times while here on earth. The Bible says there’ll be no tears in heaven.  That tells me–no sadness.’

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more. Revelation 21:4

“Has Jesus always been with God?” 

Yes, Jesus has always been with God.  Remember the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being thrown into the fiery furnace?  When the king said, there’s a fourth man in there and he looks like the Son of God. And there’s other scriptures in the Old Testament about Jesus.  They don’t call His name Jesus. We’ll have to look those up soon and we can learn more about that question.

He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. (Daniel 3:25)

“Will we get to pick a favorite age when we get to heaven?” 

“Gosh, that’s another great question. I don’t believe so, but I could be wrong”  

And the last question from my granddaughter came in a low voice--almost in silence–'so we will see Jesus when we die–like Jackson did?'

“Yes, baby girl. Like Jackson did.” 

You see, the first time she went to a funeral home was when Mr. Jackson passed. And she remembers this humble man who was always smiling. Always kind. 

And I began thinking about this grace of asking more questions–how a child’s mind can be like this sponge–never filled and always thirsty for more–if they are not silenced. How we, as adults can be more like our children--ask more questions and be prepared to answer them as well. 

Does God care if we ask questions–of Him? Of why? When? 

In my heart, I don’t believe He objects. I believe He welcomes them--as He does our prayers.

King David wrote in the midst of his angst, “My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O Lord, how long? (Psalm 6:3) 

There are storms and sorrows that come–things we cannot for the life of us wrap our minds or hearts around the question of, why?  And there are questions which can be answered through God’s Holy Word. Through His creation.  And others we will never know the answers–this side of heaven. 

We shouldn't be discouraged of this--we should be comforted--reassured--He is always working for our good. He is a good and merciful God.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us. (Ephesians 2:4)

As I listened to Samaritan’s Purse’s podcast this week, On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse, I heard a question frequently asked during the storms of this life and a woman ready with an answer. The title of the podcast, “God’s Love Showed Up: Hurricane Helene.”  (More information is below and link to listen)

The powerful story was told by a family in the Boone area whose lives have been greatly affected by the devastation of Hurricane Helene. In their story they tell of their escape through raging waters and testify of God’s goodness and mercy and how grateful they are for the work that has been done for their family–much of it made possible with the help of volunteers through Samaritan’s Purse. 

And one of the family members was asked this question, “Where’s God at in all of this?” 

And she answered boldly, ‘He’s right up the creek, yonder in those orange shirts.'

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Matthew 22:36-39

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

I Peter 1:22

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More information on the podcast, On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse

God’s Love Showed Up: Hurricane Helene

On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse

Flood waters from Hurricane Helene rushed through the Roten family’s property, but they trusted in the Lord. Even after the water receded and losing almost everything, they can clearly see God's faithfulness. Hear this story from Samaritan’s Purse staff devotions and be encouraged amid the storms going on in your life. Resources:Watch “Love Showed Up.”Read about Samaritan’s Purse Hurricane Helene Response.God provides comfort in the wake of a storm.Listen to “Hope in Heartache: Hurricane...

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-ground-with-samaritans-purse/id1482448472?i=1000673552683

Resource: On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse

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Please continue to pray for all of those affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. The needs are great and will be for months and years to come. Please give as you can--as God leads you to give.

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