Martha Olawale

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” 1 John 5:14-15

I didn’t start driving early; when I started, I spent days studying the big book to pass the test. I asked my teacher many questions and watched him show me how to signal, turn the wheel, check the mirror, and other necessary skills. I took the time to learn to ensure I’d be ready to keep myself and everyone around safe when I got behind the wheel.

In a sanctimonious stance, many Christians debate the need to ask God questions when we get overwhelmed. We mistake ‘asking’ for defiance, believing that asking Him is the same as questioning Him. To question someone is to go off an assumption or argue a point to reach a predetermined conclusion. A Lawyer questions an accused person to support a decision they want to achieve. However, asking your teacher questions comes from wanting clarification on something. Like a loving teacher should, God loves it when we ask.

The conversation between God and Abraham in Genesis 18 is intriguing. It speaks to God’s willingness to welcome questions from His children. First, God said in verse 17, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” Even though Abraham knew it was a privilege for God to inform him of His plan, he didn’t hesitate to ask questions, and God didn’t discourage him from asking. His confusion about the righteous getting in harm's way because of the wicked made him ask questions. He bargained with God.

When I read that story, I could not help wondering what would have happened if Abraham had continued the negotiation with God. What if he had asked God to spare the nation for the sake of two righteous people? What if he’d volunteered as an evangelist to warn them to repent? Abraham ended the negotiation when he got tired; he stopped at ten. At no point during the conversation did God get angry with him, saying, “Okay, that’s enough; you can’t ask for more.” Abraham reached a limit, but God did not.

A million and one confusing things are happening in our lives daily, and instead of asking God why, what, and how, we simply sit him on the defendant's chair, questioning His goodness. The haughtiness of the human spirit, in the pretense of humility, believes that asking God questions about things we don’t understand is wrong. On the contrary, not asking Him for help when we need to figure things out is pride and always leads to pain. For example, someone who does not know how to swim and jumps in the pool will drown. We must go through a learning period before we can swim laps. To make it through the oceans of life, take God up on His offer and ask Him questions.