Guest blogger...Kathy Ireland

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A Summer of Powerful Questions and Powerful Answers

As the golden rays of summer begin we are reminded of God’s many promises to us. God’s answers are always certain and always powerful. One of my concerns as spring turns to summer is to question how closely we are following God’s Word and His path for our lives. In scripture, Jesus says “let your yes be yes and let your no be no.” Too often we find ourselves trapped in the web of maybe…even though our heart and mind tell us that we should give a definite answer…we don’t.

We fear hurt feelings, confrontations, disappointments and general frustrations. Our lives would be so much clearer if we ask powerful questions and gave powerful answers. Everyday I realize how much more there is to learn. When our children ask “Why? Why? Why Mommy?” its music to my ears.

Our children, in fact most children have great curiosity. As we age we sometimes feel we know all the answers. We don’t. We need to seek information, we need to learn something new everyday. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

When we fail to ask God’s powerful questions we cannot lean on His unlimited strength. I know that I need His strength to help me cope with the challenges of everyday. When someone says, “no” I’ve learned to ask, “why?” When someone says, “yes” I’ve learned to ask, “how?” Too often when we seek information, what we receive is noise rather than real answers.

It’s amazing to me that some of us, especially as baby Christians try to make God’s Word what we want it to be rather than the truth that is there before us. Its fine, it’s good, it’s healthy to negotiate with a friend, a relative, a business associate, but not with God’s Word. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our Lord stands forever. As we begin this summer and we have more time with our families…as most of our children are out of school…as parents, mentors, friends, uncles, aunts are we asking powerful questions and giving powerful answers to young lives?

We all are role models. Are the messages we’re sending the ones we want received by those who look up to us and admire us? Recently, someone I work with received a telephone call from a relative. This young lady was in the middle of making decisions about her life and where and how she would spend her time.

Her uncle was surprised that the call came to him. After all, this young girl has parents, teachers and other relatives. This uncle, without knowing it, had become her role model. Someone she felt safe enough to discuss what was going on in her life.

My friend was able to answer her questions and steer her in a positive direction rather than a path that could have been dangerous. But if this uncle had not shown love and support throughout her early years would she have called him? I don’t think so.

So often we’re being given the opportunity to share our walk with Jesus without even saying His name. A woman I know often said of her faith, “you don’t have to tell it, it shows in your face.” I don’t know if we’ve all reached that point in our journey, but it is a wonderful destination for our travels. Please don’t confuse noise with answers. Please don’t allow people to tune you out. When we feel frustration, when we feel overwhelmed, when we aren’t certain what needs to be done… we have answers. Fall to our knees let the Lord lift you all the way up, open your Bible and begin to search. The Bible is the greatest book ever written for life management. We simply have to seek the answers that we need.

There are many questions everyday that challenge us. There are answers that we would prefer not to give. Let’s shed that approach and as the seasons change may we also change. May we be an open fountain flowing with knowledge, kindness and truth.

And as we share and receive information, may we always remember to deliver powerful information in a kind way! Ask yourself am I giving this answer to genuinely be of service? Or am I letting my bad day become someone else’s? My prayer for each of you this summer is that you know each other better and that you have empowered yourself and your children with the Word of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May this summer be your greatest ever. Please open your heart and Bible.
© 2008 by Kathy Ireland Worldwide

posted by Margaret McSweeney @ 4:30 AM