Asking Questions

One of today’s brightest violinists recently was asked how she developed as an artist. One key was asking questions: “I love questions. They enrich your knowledge.”

She described how easy it was to fall into bad habits and play in ways that were automatic, without insight or depth. But questions led to playing familiar pieces with fresh enthusiasm.

The same principles apply in the spiritual realm. Jesus encouraged His disciples to ask questions. He taught, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). The implication is that those who don’t ask will not receive. Those who do not seek will not find. Those who do not knock on doors will not enter.

This asking process is central to our relationship with God. As Jesus taught, “Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive” (Matthew 21:22). But what happens when we don’t ask? The implication is that we won’t receive.

The disciples did not always understand this principle. As they traveled through Galilee, He tried to teach them about events to come. But “they did not understand.” Instead of asking questions, they remained silent. They “were afraid to ask Him.”

Are there things you don’t understand about the Kingdom, the Bible, or God’s direction? Don’t be timid or afraid. Remember that Jesus encourages you to ask.