God’s Truth and Presence Answers our Life Questions
The other day I had a list of chores that needed to be done around the house. Since I like a bit of noise as I work, I chose to play familiar Disney movies with soundtracks I enjoy. One of my recent favorites is Encanto because the main character is adorable, and the music is fun.
The Question
There is a scene in the climax where Isabel, the main character, looks at her grandmother and says, “I’ll never be enough.” I stopped moving and cleaning; I was transfixed by the scene on my television. My soul resonated with Isabel’s realization, because it echoed a question I ask myself too often. Am I enough?
My guess is most people aren’t aware of my internal debate. In fact, most days I can quiet the cacophony the question arises within me. However, I can’t subdue the question every time it surfaces. Once the question rises to the forefront of my consciousness, I struggle to maintain my confidence, my contentment, and my peace.
You probably have a question of your own similar to “Am I enough?” Perhaps you ask one of the following questions. Am I likeable? What is my gift or talent? What do I have to offer? Am I too much? Will anybody ever pick me? Am I capable? Will I always feel less than? Why am I the way I am? When will I feel safe? Is this all there is?
God’s Truth Answers our Question
God has gently been reminding me of truth since my question burst into my constant awareness. The Spirit daily speaks hope to my heart. Perhaps one or all three of these truths will encourage you as you grapple with your question.
Truth one: God gets us. (Psalms 33:15)
We often talk about God as our creator. We know we are fearfully and wonderfully made. I think we generally consider God the creator of our physical bodies and don’t stop to consider God created our intellect, emotions, and will. He designed how you would process ideas, how creative you would be, how driven, what makes you laugh and what causes you to relax. God understands what fuels us, and what trips us up.
Truth two: God seeks us out. (Genesis 3:8-13)
Scripture makes it very clear that God is all-knowing. When you read the story of Adam and Eve, do you think God needed to ask where they were? God already knew exactly what had happened, and where they were hiding. God didn’t rush in with accusations. Instead, God asked a question. God offered Adam and Eve the opportunity to place their relationship with Him ahead of their dissenting emotions. God doesn’t treat us any differently.
Truth three: God provides the way to His presence. (Hebrews 10:19-23)
Jesus died to pay the penalty our sin required. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we are made holy and allowed to enter God’s throne room with confidence. Jesus gifts us freedom from our guilt and shame, and then blesses us with life that is truly life. At times, we get stuck trying to belong with the people of this world, when we were created to belong to God.
The Easter Story
These three truths are the Easter story in a nutshell. God, who gets us and understands the questions we ask, always seeks us out. He has gone out of His way so we can live in His presence from now until forever.
I believe the Easter story; Jesus died, conquering sin, then resurrected conquering the penalty of death. All because God loves us beyond what we can comprehend. I believe we find hope, peace, joy, contentment, and purpose when we dwell in the presence of God. However, I don’t always act on my belief with great faith.
Elijah’s Faith and Question
In 1 Kings 18, we find a story about Elijah when he calls down fire from heaven to burn up a sacrifice on an altar. Even though he knows everybody is watching him, he orders the altar doused with water three times. Then Elijah prays, and he prays boldly. Elijah wasn’t concerned about himself or looking good in front of everyone. His plea is all about God revealing Himself.
Elijah acted in great faith. In the immediately following chapter, 1 Kings 19, we read about Elijah running for his life from Jezebel. Elijah evidently had his own question that popped up from time to time and led him to struggle with his faith. God understood, as God does, and He met Elijah amid his questions and fears.
Come to the Throne Room
Whatever question we wrestle with, God understands because God gets us. He is seeking you just as He sought out Elijah, and just as He seeks me. God wants to be with us, to help us, strengthen us, and encourage us in our faith; He wants to empower us to believe. God has opened the door to His throne room, and He eagerly awaits our arrival. We can come to Him with questions, and we can come with bold prayers. We just need to come.
Tree with Question Marks Photo by Evan Dennis on Unsplash
