Why?

I have found myself questioning the circumstances of my life lately. When I sense a moment of self-pity coming on I reach for my Voice of the Martyrs updates and pray for the persecuted Christians around the world (especially in China and the Sudan recently). My circumstances may discourage me sometimes, or flat out embarrass me when I have to share updates with friends and family, but God has blessed me richly, preserved me greatly, and is sovereign in His control and grace.

A friend recently shared with me that she hesitates to question God by crying out "why?" as if that implies we have the right to question Him and His authority over us. First, let me just say that God knows the condition of each of our hearts when we come before Him.

Any mother or older sibling will be familiar with the stage toddlers go through where they seem to know no other word other than the infamous "why".

"Why is the sky blue?"
"Why do I have to sleep?"
"Why am I a girl/boy?"
"Why, why, why?"

And every answer you give, whether it's a simple, "I don't know" or, "just because" or even a complex explanation that a two year old would of course never understand, the child always continues to respond with the neverending "why?"

When you study childhood development you learn that this is a natural proces of growth and development for young children when they want/need nothing more than to stimulate conversation. They could care less "why" and they certainly may not be able to comprehend all the whys and hows and becauses anyway. Children yearn to be communicated with. They yearn for the attention and stimulation that they need in order to grow their mind and develop appropriately. (So, to all mothers and older siblings just a side note: when toddlers cry out "why?", just TALK to them! Don't freak out and certainly don't continuously shut them down ;)

I submit that God's children do the same as we grow in our understanding of the spiritual world and God's purposes. We cry out "why?" and I know God knows whether our heart is bitter towards Him or whether we are crying out in a genuine need to just hear Him TALK to us. Maybe we cry out "why?" just to hear His voice, to know He is there. It is the expression of our yearning for our Father's attention and for Him to stimulate our development as we grow in Him, in the way He wants us to go. We may not aways be able to comprehend His answers but we have a deep longing as we grow in our understanding and awareness of the spritual realm to KNOW our Father. When a child is confused, we hope he turns to the parents for clarification. When a child is lost, he calls out hoping the parents will hear and come to the rescue. We do the same as children of God our Father. We run to Him for understanding and clarification of our problems and we call out for His restoration and peace when we are lost or feel alone.

The difference is God is the perfect Father and He knows the deepest needs of our heart and soul. He knows the answers we need and don't need and He grants understanding whenever He sees fit to do so for His glory. He is God, sovereign in His Heaven, working everything for the good of those who love Him. Talk to Him. And listen to His voice.