Why?

My youngest son, Isaac (23 months), has recently learned a new word: Why. There is a lot packed into that little word. You see, Isaac is quickly approaching his second birthday, and it's around two years old that children begin to find their sinful nature. You've heard of the terrible two's? At this age, children reveal their built in desire to rebel. Isaac has probably picked this word up from one of his older siblings. However, he uses it far more frequently. When we tell him not to do something, he has begun to always respond with that deep and significant question, why? I must say, there aren't many things sweeter than the sound that comes through the voice of a toddler. I have found myself having to push past the cuteness to better understand what is taking place in his mind.

The word why is used as a question to help clarify and to hopefully receive a better explanation. If we can't wrap our minds around something, whether it be a statement or a situation, we will often ask why? If something doesn't make sense, it begs the question why? We want to know the details. We want to better understand the reason for something.

I laugh at my son, but I realize that I have found myself in different places throughout life when I have asked God the same question. When we experience difficulty in this life, it is easy to want to know all the details. Really, what is happening is that we are questioning the very sovereignty of God. For the follower of Christ, the sovereignty of God says that God is always in control, even when life gets out of control. This means that even when we don't understand why things happen the way they do, God is still in control of the situation. We may only see what is right in front of us, but God is involved in the big picture.

My wife likes to describe this idea with a picture in which we can all relate. Imagine you are driving down the highway and there is an eighteen-wheel truck directly in front of you. It can be really hard to see around him. All you are able to see is the back of that large truck. You may want to find out why he is driving so slow, but in that moment you're not able to see the big picture. This requires patience until the opportunity is there for you or the truck to move.

We will have times in our life when we want to see the big picture, and God wants us to lean in and trust Him. God always has a purpose in everything and we can trust Him, even when we want to ask why?  

Here are a few Scriptures that I claim when I find myself in a season of asking that question:
Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Proverbs 16:9  In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Matthew 6:8  Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
Matthew 6:26  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Romans 8:28  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

May God whisper those words into your ear when you find yourself asking why? When we feel as if we need all the answers and want to ask why, we need to remember a simple phrase: God is good. All the time.