I've Got Questions; Is That Ok?

Ever get the feeling this whole “following Jesus” thing is just a tad difficult? I mean, let’s be real, there appears to be this unapproachable, unobtainable expectation of holiness and righteousness that can be quite overwhelming at times. Or is that simply a misunderstanding? Am I to be holy and righteous or is Christ in me that works to make me holy and righteous? Is will power enough? Can I honestly make good decision? Am I capable of making healthy choices? At what point do I need to start relying on God or should I be doing that from the very beginning?

So many questions. AND when I finally get an answer it usually leads to a few more questions.

Confusing. Challenging. Difficult. Following Jesus is ANYTHING BUT easy. You can never know enough. You can never do enough. Who he is and what he wants to do in my life surpasses my understanding (here’s a hint: that’s why I TRUST him).

Glad I’m not alone.

Reading through the early pages of John you’ll stumble across a conversation, a discussion, an exchange between Jesus and a man named Nicodemus (Pharisee; member of the Sanhedrin; teacher; smart guy). Instead of listing a bunch of details regarding the dialogue between the two, I’ll simply post the text itself…or at least the part I want to focus on.

“You are Israel's teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?
John 3:10-12 NIV84

I LOVE this. Here we have Nicodemus, a teacher of the Law, a dude that most likely was highly esteemed, well-educated, all-around smart guy, asking Jesus about regeneration…no, not like a starfish growing (regenerating) a new limb, but a person crossing over from death to life through a relationship with Jesus Christ. He asked, “What does it mean to be born again?” Jesus then carries on a bit, referencing flesh, talking about Spirit, making an analogy to wind…then BAM! He tells Nicodemus like it is.

I tell you the TRUTH.
We speak of what we KNOW.
We testify to what we have SEEN.

And in spite of this, you, me…we do not accept it or understand it. We deny the truth. Cynicism takes over and we laugh it off, make snide remarks, and go about business as usual. For whatever reason, we lean into our faulty logic and finite reasoning to decipher the mysteries of the Creator of the universe.

I’m glad I’m not alone in this. I’m comforted in knowing I have questions that may remain unanswered until the day I die and meet Jesus face to face (or remain slumbering in my earth suit until he calls me up…either way I don’t think I’ll know the difference) and have the chance to ask him myself.

Don’t be afraid to ask the difficult questions. Don’t be afraid to ask question EVER! It’s not about WHAT you KNOW, it’s about WHO you LOVE!

What heavenly things ignite a flame of curiosity in you? What questions do you have?