Why? or Why Not?
Posted By Mike on January 15, 2009
This morning during my quiet time God really dealt with me about my relationship with Him. You see, when my life crashed into God’s transforming power back in 1990, I started living wildly for Him. I was the guy you could place at the end of the spiritual tunnel and tell me there’s a light at the end of it and I would run head-long into the tunnel. Obstacles were issues to be dealt with when I hit them. I saw them as the “deal with that bridge when we come to it.” I saw myself as the “Why not?” guy. I would want to do something, try something new or different and when I was told it wouldn’t work or we couldn’t do it I would invariably ask, “Why not?” When it came to my life through Christ, I believed I could do anything. . .the church could do anything.
Somewhere in my spiritual journey I became tame. Somewhere in time I bought in to and accepted the notion, that I needed to know where the light switches were in the tunnel. I needed to know the whys, hows, and wheres of my journey with God. I came to believe that I needed to, and had the right to know the destination. . .ultimately I became tame, timid, and tired. I began to evaluate and study life. I had to figure life out. And in the process I settled down and became a “responsible” Christian. At some point in my journey I started to ask the “Why?” question. Why would we want do that? Why would you want to change this? Why do we need to do it differently?
Even though I accepted this as normal, there was always a yearning. . .a sense deep within me that knew this wasn’t right. This morning God showed me that I had stopped dreaming big dreams and stopped asking “Why not?” He showed me men, who over the years, have asked the “Why not?” question. Men who have influenced me in the past and continue to influence me, even now. Guys like Steve, Ed, Stacey, and Gene. Guys who don’t let the “Why?’s” tie them to the leash of life. These are men who I have heard with my own ears ask, “Why not?” These guys are an inspiration to me and serve as a reminder that we are not to live the caged life, but to live the wild, adventurous life of following God. Every morning we are to hit the floor willing to live the life focused on the pursuit of the Kingdom of God and His righteousness; the life that knows no boundaries; the life lived with wild anticipation that God will do something extraordinary with me and those who are willing to ask “Why not?”
This morning I committed to God to stop worrying about the how and focus on the what. I apologized for not fighting for Him, for Cindy, and for a few good men. I sought His forgiveness for allowing this world, the church, and my own fears to turn me into a complacent, life-numbing, man whose focused had become “Why?”
What about you? Men, God has called us to be adventurous. He’s put that part of himself within us. He destined us to become leaders and warriors, men who are willing to fight for their King, their Eve, and the hearts and lives of a couple of other fellow warriors. Don’t become what I had become. Don’t become the “Why?” guy. If you find yourself in that place, confess it to God and ask Him to prepare you for the journey. You may have to unload some gear. You may have to set down some comforts. You will have to leave the why’s and where’s behind. You will have to let go of some baggage like pride, selfishness, anger, sarcasm, doubt, and worry. You will have to lace up your boots, grab a knife, sword, or spear, and head out into unknown territory. You will have to trust God – that He is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do. You will have to stop asking the “Why?” question and will have to start asking the “Why not?” question.
Won’t you join me in the tunnel?
Mike
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I love you and am very proud of you! I pray that you continue to pursue to be the man God desires you to be. Jer. 17:7
Nailed it! I will be printing this off and using it.
Definitely “why not”, by the way.
Daniel – use it, Baby!!! And thanks for being a “Why Not?” guy.