A Burning Question
If it’s an obvious question they should already know the answer to, it can get quite frustrating!
Reference : Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” (Luke 3:12 NIV)
Explore: Our seven year old asks SO many questions. He loves people and it’s his way of making conversation and keeping someone’s attention.
“What did you have for breakfast?.. Is that your favourite?.. How far away do you live?.. Do you have a car?.. What colour is it?.. Is it fast? What are you having for tea?..”
Every now and then he’ll come up with a great question showing great thought and insight. But there are 20 thousand questions around it that are just repetitive and mundane.
I’m all up for someone asking me a question, however, if it’s an obvious question they should already know the answer to, it can get quite frustrating!
Application: When John the Baptist was ministering to people they all asked him the same question, “What should we do?” Not only was this question repetitive, the answer was also fairly obvious.
John didn’t answer them with any rocket science explanation. He told them what they should have known already – treat others kindly.
So often we ask God as many questions as my seven year old. We all want to know exactly what we should do every step of the way. And yet, often His answer will be the most obvious.
If we are really in tune with God and how He lived whilst on earth then the way we should live is fairly obvious – love others and love God. Thankfully, God is very patient with all our questions but I find He does like us to think for ourselves every now and again!
Prayer: Lord, Your guidance means so much to me. Help me to use the common sense that You gave me so I can live more as You would have me live. Amen.
What question do you have for God? Do you already know the answer?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.