This is a question I have been coming up against lately. Our nature as human beings make us curious, so a natural question we all ask is ”Why?” Recently I have been seeming to here “Why” much more than I used to.
Why?
At times I have caught myself believing that everyone I come into contact thinks like me, believes like me and processes information like me. This is a curse I don’t wish upon my worst enemy. However, when I catch myself projecting myself on to other people, I realize that I rarely answer the question “Why.” I make the assumption that the person I am speaking with knows the “Why.“
- Why am I speaking to this person?
- Why am I sharing the information that I am sharing?
- Why are we even in the same room?
- Why? Why? Why?
Obviously, “Why” maybe self explanatory, but sometimes I believe that “Why” is just assumed and miscommunication happens because “Why” is not addressed. Situation Comedies have written story line after story line based on the confusion of misinterpretation because “Why” hasn’t been answered.
If you know me you know that I openly share that a relationship with Jesus is the best way to live. I pray that I live my life in way that is pleasing to God and that other people will choose to walk in the freedom I have found in Christ. When I have the opportunity to share Jesus, I must remember to answer the question”Why?” I can tell people all day long about Jesus, but if I don’t answer the question, the often unasked question, “Why do I need to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?” if I don’t answer that question, then I have failed.
At work when I am selling a Rolex watch, I need to explain to a customer why he or she should spend thousands of dollars on a watch. There is a reason a Rolex is far superior than a twenty dollar mall watch, but if I just explain to the customer that a Rolex is a nice watch, then I have failed to answer the question, “Why should I spend thousands of dollars on this watch when I can spend twenty bucks for something that supposedly does the same thing?”
At church when we are seeking ministry volunteers, we assume that everyone knows the needs, knows the “Why.”. Heck, we might even explain the need we have for volunteers, but do we truly concentrate on answering “Why?“
- In children’s ministry we need volunteers because children are extremely impressionable and we need to build strong teams to help lead our children to Jesus.
- In youth ministry we need volunteers because teenagers are being bombarded with tons of negativity and we need youth leaders to step up and be a shining light of hope as our teenagers spread their wings and try to fly.
- In guest services we need your service because the person walking through the doors is wondering what Jesus is all about and he or she needs to see and feel your friendliness and the confidence you have in Jesus Christ so they will be more comfortable to receive all that God has in store for them that day.
This is not new. Jesus answered, “Why?” John 10:9-10
