4:336 – Going to the Source for Answers

#faithbites #faithjourney source

Setting

When you are sick or something feels off, do you search the web for answers? It’s ok, we all do it. Have you ever diagnosed yourself with some epic disease that you have a one-in-a-million chance of getting? I have. Today, I had a lot of blood work done for my annual checkup as well as looking at possibilities for my spine health. As the results came in, I looked up to see what the ranges were, what the highs and lows meant, and possible symptoms. I almost got to the point of cross-checking symptoms and results to see if I could diagnose myself. While I do work in a medical school, I am to a physician nor am I an internist or a diagnostician. My best hope for an answer is to go to the source, my primary care, and if she doesn’t have the answers, she can refer me elsewhere.

Today’s Questions: When you have questions about God, who do you ask? Are you Googling to find the answers? Are you looking at fringe news sources to tell you how to behave?

Scripture

• Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
• Isaiah 55:8-9 –  “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
• James 1:5-6 –  If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Reflection

Let us look at God’s word for answers. (See what I did there? I went to the source). Romans tells us that God works for those who love him. That means if we love God he will do help us achieve what we need, even when we don’t have the answers. Next, in Isaiah, we see that God’s thoughts are well beyond ours. If we don’t have the answers, wouldn’t we want to ask someone who is well beyond humans and our limitations? Finally, in James, God tells us point-blank, to ask him when we lack wisdom. He doesn’t tell us to google it (or ask the town crier) for an answer. He doesn’t even say to ask clergy. God says to ask him.

When we ask God directly, he will point us in the right direction. It may be to a clergy member or friend. It may be to Bibles that have more back story that explains the verses. There are many secondary sources of information that can be useful. Let’s go direct to the primary source first.

In my case, I can do a lot of Googling and WebMD searching but it will only leave me convinced I’m dying and falling apart. While that may be true, I don’t have the credentials, experience, or training to truly understand the science. That is why I need to ask my primary care provider.

As we close, when in doubt about what God wants, ask him. Use him and let him be your guide.

Prayer

Father God, thank you for Your Word, Your Son, and Your Holy Spirit. You have given us many ways to come to you, the source for all answers. Help us not be distracted by other sources that can change Your Word and your plan for us. We pray this in your name, Amen.