Asking the Right Questions

 

While unsupported by any research with which I'm familiar, nevertheless, I've always believed that genius is the ability, or capability, to ask the right questions. Maybe the metaphorical "lightbulb" came on from years as an educator who has taught every level from sixth grade to graduate school.  I don't remember.  

All I can recall is that one moment the nugget wasn't there and the next second, there it was. The notion probably emerged while I stewarded eighth-grade students in a " gifted education" class. I lived in Virginia then.  However, it might have been Virginia's mesmerizing blue mountains that sparked it.  Hmm.

My theory took wings over the years that followed, whether I served as  language arts instructor to  middle schoolers, high school English to "regular" (whatever that meant) students,  or even in "methods" seminars to graduate students.  It all rushed back the morning my dependable dryer didn't respond to my thumb on the "start" button! After checking all the other settings, including the "power" switch, I kept trying.  Sounds like a moan-drone emanated from the machine.  OMGoodess! The dryer wouldn't cooperate. I commiserated inwardly, all the while bemoaning this unexpected trouble.  My mind raced! What am I going to do? I know doodly-squat about a dryer or a washing machine,  for that matter.

What can I do, I mentally pondered,  while reviewing my meager (read threadbare) bank account balance.  Alas, woe is me!  Damsels in distress would shriek way back in the day.  What am I going to do? A voice in my head asked clearly, "Shouldn't you be asking God what He is going to do?" What? Had I heard what I just heard?  A pause and I asked aloud, "God what are you going to do about the dryer? Waiting, it dawned on me that "What am I going to do about this catastrophe or disaster or mega problem  had been my refrain for decades!"

Actually, "woe is me" served as a well-worn verse while "what am I going to do" introduced a chorus that chronicled both the choices and decisions I'd been making most of my life.  With few exceptions, if I couldn't solve the quandary, I threw up my hands in defeat and tossed whatever had caused it into a landfill of losses.  A landfill because of my uneasiness about asking for help.  Me? Ask for help? No! I couldn't risk rejection or whatever pernicious response my request might generate.

What a novel idea! The voice had asked a long-overdue question.  Although upon careful consideration, it might just have been the first time I actually heard it! I groped for answers.  No brag, just fact but I know enough Scripture to fill a small room and had memorized a slew of them.  "Ask, and it shall be given you.  Seek, and you shall find.  Knock, and the door shall open to you.  For everyone who asks receives. and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened" (Matthew 7:7.8 ). Or, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1).  Or the kicker, "Truly, I say to you, whosoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, it will be done for him" (Mark 11:24). 

Just a handful of the hundreds of promises, unbreakable assurances, and unshakable truth contained in the Holy Book. 

Belief. Trust. Faith.  Each word alone carries dunamis power,  but in any combination---look out! It wasn't until my trusted counselor initiated an ongoing dialogue with me about belief, faith, and trust that illumination became klieg lights. Our discourse resulted in a knowingness.  Thank you, Pastor Chuck, for propelling my journey of revelation and discovery.   

"God, what are You going to do about my dryer?"  While not yet revealed,  I have not a scintilla of doubt He will answer my query.  Belief, faith, and trust--among other questions  and challenges--- require instruction from the  Holy Spirit.  Thank You, Holy Spirit, my Comforter.  I resolutely rely on  Him to continue my lessons as I await His ultimate triumph.