Rev. Jackson B Powers

Nov. 1, 2022

When I was younger, I was the type of kid who followed the rules... mostly. I may have questioned the rules, and sure, I back-talked my parents regarding said rules, but in the end I still obeyed them (again...mostly). I let my opinion be known, but most of the time that was it. I don't know if it was because I was the oldest or what, but I always felt the pressure of being better. I had to be better. Be the good one. Be the one my parents could rely on. The one who always got stuff done. So, I followed the rules. 

I have this cousin, and even though he was younger than me, I have always looked up to him. Especially as he is the oldest sibling in his family, just like me. He is the oldest of 3, and I always thought he acted the way he did due to his dad being military and his mom needing his help. He was, and still IS, the BEST example I know of how a big brother should act. Eventually, I learned to except that is just how God made him.

I like to play it safe, that's how God made me. And whereas that's not wrong, I have had periods where I stopped asking questions. Besides, rules are rules... right? As I grow in my faith, it's easy for me to say, "... because the Bible says so..." and just leave it at that. Sometimes, I simply just... comply. But what about the times when I don't understand, or agree? What about when I want to know why?

When we were kids, it was hard for us to except an order without an explanation. As people, we tend compare ourselves with others. We don't like when we don't have the answer, but when someone else does we are afraid to ask. Or, we are afraid to of how it might make us look. We want to be "The Best," but we don't like the road required to get there. It makes us uncomfortable. It makes us change. So the question is, Does God expect that from us? Is blind faith really His only answer? Are we just supposed to sit back and accept what God says?

Sometimes...yes. Sometimes our parents don't explain themselves to protect us from something that we have no business even attempting to understand, at least till we're older, wiser, and more mature. In the same way, sometimes God's answer is simply, "because I said so" in order to protect us from something that we have no business in, or even attempt to understand or mess with.

Sometimes, however, we CAN find the answer. See, God gave us His Word so that we may Know Him. So that we may "...discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:2 HCSB. We can only do that, though, by living out the Gospel. By being, "transformed by the renewing of your mind" - Romans 12:2 HCSB. It's not enough that we fill a seat on Sunday. Do you REALLY know him? Do you REALLY have a relationship with God? Or are you just going through the motions? Have you ACTUALLY been TRANSFORMED by what God has done for you?

It's okay to ask questions. It's ok to WANT to understand why. We only fail and fall when we refuse to take "because God says so.." as an answer. For some reason, we treat God like we treated our parents way back when. We get angry, we curse, we back-talk, and some stop and turn away from God all together. Not necessarily because they don't believe, but because they don't understand. They don't understand why, when sometimes there is no WHY for us TO understand. Sometimes God's answer is simply, "...because I said so..." 

Just because God's answer isn't what we wanted, doesn't mean It's not what's best for us, or that He doesn't love us.

God sees the finish line. God sees the FULL picture, not just a single paint stroke. He knows what is best for us. And because He loves us, if we get out of the way and follow Him, His Best plan for us will be made true in our lives. 

I pray that you follow God. That you bring ALL your cares to Him. He WILL bring you rest.