Questions are a difficult question to ask

Questions are a most difficult question to ask. Sorry I had to have just a little play on words. Asking someone to re-explain something they have just said and presented is intimidating for many folks. Questions that are asked in a probing way to discover information can certainly be a challenge for both the individual asking the question and the person providing the answer and explanation. As a child before one has developed the skill of speech adults, brothers and sisters asked little ones questions and we accept a head shake one-way or another as the provided answer. With personal growth and maturity, as adults, we look at others and expect them to be able deliver an answer with specific details that in essence brings our question to a conclusion.
In the Bible there are many examples about questions. Brothers James and John asked if they could sit on the right hand of the Father. That was a bold question! Other Bible questions include the question of who sinned in probing the wonderment of why one might not be perfect in everyway. Now that is a question folks still ask today when looking at others and wanting to place blame for one reason or another. There are many examples of questions not asked in the Bible that are presented in such a way that require us to develop a pattern for research in our wondering. Those types of questions also require a growing relationship with the source of help when seeking answers. If you are a student writing a thesis in high school or a undergraduate student writing a position paper you will need to develop a relationship with the library. That will need to be a growing relationship too. We lead first and second grade students into the library for the first times in their lives to begin their relationship by introducing them to that quiet place. Later we show them how to find resources and we explain the various categories and how things are shelved by topic, and author. We hope that these steps and assistance will create inside of every child a love for learning and the courage to go and seek out answers and experience things through reading, looking and listening.
I wish I could give myself credit for the next statement I’m about to share but I cannot. I wish I could write who or where I was when I first heard the statement but I can’t recall either. I’ve quoted this statement as advice to others for years. I’ve shared it with many as encouragement and today is marked as just one more opportunity. If we could spring forward in our lives 20 years we will discover that the we will be the same person then that we are today with four exceptions. Four things that will make a difference are: 1) The books we read; 2) The places we go; 3) The experiences we have;4) The people we meet; The great idea behind this thought is that at any age we can begin the process of becoming different from just these consideration. How about asking for a recommendation of a good book, or asking a question about a location to visit from a trusted source? How about asking a friend a question to share about an experience that has changed their life and how about asking someone to sit and talk even if you’ve never met them before?
There is a lot to discover if we would only be willing to step outside of our world and be willing to see what is outside of what we know currently. In a relationship with Jesus Christ I’ve discovered the opportunity to really be challenged is up to me.

Until then