by Gelly McAuliffe-Bunker
Dear Sisters in Christ,
If I may share a gem from my journey this month, it’s to change the question we ask of God when the way ahead seems unfair.
Have you ever experienced a situation where you appear to have missed out?
It could be that you were away from class when the formula, pattern, or structure for solving a particular problem was clearly explained, whether a Maths class, in craft instruction, or in any workshop to which you might have signed up. You trudge through what you believe is the required process only to find that the exact instructions were clearly and explicitly known by everyone else.
Or, later in life, the path you were on seemed to have more dips and troughs, with swamps, downpours, and desert valleys, than what others appear to be experiencing. If you are like me, you may have knelt before your loving heavenly Father and asked, “Why?”
But is that the best question?
Just recently, I have been prompted to change my “Why?” to “What?” This is the question which asks what God may be doing, how He may be molding you, or what He wants you to see, say, or do in this situation.
A “Why?” seeks to understand, but it also seems to keep our attention more focused on ourselves. Why would You allow this to happen to me? Why did I have to go through these valleys and downpours and dry seasons when others seem to have had a far more blessed and comfortable life? In contrast, I believe that a “What?” question seeks to see things from God’s point of view. It is coming to sit beside your heavenly Father, asking Him to help you see how He may be working in this situation. It is to humbly seek to know His heart more clearly through it, knowing that He is with you and for you. It is to submit to His correction, to be ready to be challenged for the better, and to seek His glory first. It is a willingness to seek to work with God in trust, rather than challenge Him to give you answers.
This side of heaven, we are all on a journey of transformation. Yes, some people appear to have a more pleasant trip, but it may be that they are being more conscientious in following the Lord’s instructions. “But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matt 6:17-18 ESV). Alternatively, they may just be in that blissful season on top of the mountain before another walk in the valley.
We can pray in thanks for them, even as we keep our trust in the Lord, being faithful to what He has called us to do. Then, when we meet challenges, let us ask for open eyes to see how we can more fully commit our ways to Him, for His glory, in our lives and before others (Jas 5:19-20).
Gelly Nic seeks to share God’s Word with others, that each may know and experience the incredible love and faithfulness of our God, who draws near to us as we draw near to Him (Jas 4:8). Her heart prayer is that those on the margins would find grace and true fellowship in God, and with His people.