Questions That Lead to Wonder (Audio)

Children are renowned for asking questions. While an incessant “why?” may grate, questions are how they discover and mature. We can learn from them.

Jesus engaged people through questions, giving them time to reflect, process, and take ownership of the discovery process. It was an empowering aspect of their discipleship journey. It led to wonder.

“Who do you people say that I am?” Jesus asked his disciples. This was quickly followed by, “Who do you say I am?”

“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked the once-blind Bartimaeus. This question invited Bartimaeus to trust Jesus, and at the same time, it invited him to participate in (not contribute to) his own healing.

You get to grow through asking your heavenly Father questions. Jesus invites us to ask, seek, and knock.

Some of my favourite questions, all addressed to God, assist me in growing in Father’s love and be a conveyor of this love to others:

“What is it about you and your heart and character I’m missing that has me responding this way?”

“What is it about you and your heart that, if I knew, would have me responding differently?”

“Father, I know you’re with me; what is blocking me from seeing your presence?”

“Father, where am I living out of what I’ve heard in the past rather than what you’re showing me in the present? And what would you like to show me today?”

“Father, how can my joy in you return?”

You can ask your heavenly Father about absolutely anything: relationships, sex, finances, work, emotions, uncertainties, faith, and motives; nothing is off limits.

Ask, be still, wait, listen, he will answer.

Pr. Peter Steicke