A four-year-old was enjoying lemonade and cookies on his grandmother’s patio when a bee started buzzing around the table. He became very upset, and his mother tried to calm him by explaining, “Nathan, that bee is more afraid of you than you are of him. Look how much bigger you are. Besides, if that bee stings you, his stinger will fall out and he’ll die.”
The four-year-old considered this for a moment and then asked, “Does the bee know that?”
The little boy asked a very perceptive question. As someone has said, “A prudent question is half of wisdom.” Jesus was always asking questions.: “Why are you so afraid?” “Why do you call me good?” “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “Where is your faith?” By one estimate, Jesus asked as many as 307 questions in the Gospels. As we have seen in our study of parables lately, Jesus asks some pertinent questions.
The other day, in my reading, I stumbled across the following questions – taken from “Discovering God’s Will”, by Gordon Jackson. They pertain to making wise choices that will both honour God and uplift people. I share them with you for your interest and application.
Of course everything is contextual – some might apply to one situation some might not. Some might not apply at all. I thought they were well designed and worth our serious consideration. They are as follows:
· Is this decision likely to honour God and reflect well on His Kingdom?
· Can I justify my decision to other followers of Christ? To God?
· If anyone is likely to disagree with my decision or be hurt by it, on what biblical basis can I defend this decision?
· Is this decision conducive to my spiritual growth?
· Does this decision match the type of life I wish to live following Christ?
· If I think ahead five years, how am I likely to look back on this decision?
· Have I given this decision the prayer, time, and reflection it deserves?
· What would Jesus do in my situation (if applicable, answer this question to the best of your ability)?
A friend once asked Isidor I. Rabi, a Nobel prize winner in science, how he became a scientist. Rabi replied that every day, after school, his mother would talk to him about his school day. She wasn't so much interested in what he had learned that day, but she always inquired, "Did you ask a good question today?" "Asking good questions," Rabi said, "made me become a scientist."
Hopefully, one or several of these questions will help us as we walk with Jesus and make decisions to glorify Him. God bless you my friend. Remember, He loves you and wants the very best for you.
As your week unfolds may it be filled with His grace – Pastor Ralph
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV))
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