I had a stimulating conversation with a friend yesterday. We were discussing the Bible’s story of redemption, and the idea that Jesus needed to die to save sinners from hell. He wanted to ask the question “Why did Jesus have to die? Why that plan and not something ‘more creative’?”
The whole conversation got me thinking about why we ask ‘why’.
Liittle kids ask why all the time, right? “Dad, why is the sky blue?” or “Mom, why does your tongue stick to the flagpole when its really cold outside?”
Pure curiosity, a desire for knowledge, a simple and innocent investigation.
But, something happens. As we get older, our questioning changes from curiosity to skepticism. We ask questions, not because we simply want to know the answer, but we ask questions because we doubt that the answers we have been taught are correct.
We lose faith, we lack trust, we lose heart. We become like the man who wanted so badly to believe that Jesus could heal his son, and said “I believe; help my unbelief!”
Pain, struggle, suffering, violence and inequity all introduce fear and doubt. Over time fear and doubt cause us to question, and to question without trust. They cause us to vacillate between faith and unbelief.
Where are you today? Cynic or child?
