What Instead Of Why

Acts 9:3-6

As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Paul was suddenly unable to see.  The powerful became almost powerless and instead of asking “why” he asked “what.”  “Lord, what do you want me to do?”  Don’t you think he wanted to know why?  It’s the silent question that burns in the hearts of so many who are suddenly faced with a situation beyond their control.   

Asking “what” instead of “why” is not an easy thing to do.  Maybe you’ve been through a storm or maybe you’re going through one now.  The easiest and most common question to ask God is “Why?”  Why is this happening?  Why me?  Why now?  Why?  It’s a great question, but in my experience it is seldom answered.  And then we want to ask, “Why doesn’t God tell us why?”  I can’t answer that question.  Don’t know of anyone who can.  It’s most often a mystery.  I find comfort in something Vance Havner said years ago…. you can’t always trace the hand of God but you can always trust the heart of God.  I may not know the “why” but I can trust the “Who.”

Ron Dunn’s writings have helped me with this question of “why.”  Instead of becoming restless and demanding before God expecting an immediate response as to why I am going through such a storm, he says I should instead ask what.  I’d like to suggest Four Whats to ask God in the midst of a storm…

1.     What do I need to see?

2.     What do I need to hear?

3.     What do I need to learn?

4.     What do I need to do?  

Most people are either in a storm, coming out of a storm, or going into a storm.  Maybe these questions will help you face the days ahead.  And when you come out of the storm, you’ll be able to help others. Don’t ask why, ask what…