Because I said so! That's why!

It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers. James Thurber


We begin as children asking our first question, “Why?” We ask it until our mothers and fathers resort to the answer they swore they would never use... Because I said so, that’s why. Some of us keep on asking questions all our lives and never get answers that meet our needs. Some of us have enough answers to satisfy us and accept what comes our way. Job was one of these kind of people.
The most obnoxious people are the ones who have all the answers to questions, are convinced their answer is the only right one and share it with you whether you asked for it or not. Religious folks unfortunately can be the worst offenders in this regard. It doesn’t seem to matter whether Christian, Jew or Muslim defines the faith system because there are “true believers” in every camp ready, willing and able to explain why their way is best. Politicians on both sides of the aisle also seem chock full of answers to our deficit problem, immigration concerns and healthcare issues. Just once I would like to hear a politician acknowledge the questions without rushing to give an easy answer.
Living with the questions is not comfortable. In music an unresolved chord left hanging leaves a feeling of suspense. And, unanswered questions, unanswerable questions can leave us feeling suspended over the abyss of unknowing. We are programed to want to know... Why does the sun rise? Why does the light go off when I close the refrigerator door? Why does mama have to die? Why is there so much war? Why won’t God make everything right?
One of my favorite question askers in the New Testament is Nicodemus, a man of some importance in the community, who comes to Jesus by night to engage in a game of Twenty Questions. Concerned about his reputation and uncertain about this strange teacher who does miracles, night darkness is both safety and a symbol of the state of his soul. Question asking brings confusing light because the answers defy common sense and the order of the natural world. Sometimes answers bring more questions. And Jesus doesn’t say, “Because I said so, that’s why!”
In his answer to Nicodemus, Jesus speaks one of the best known verses in the Bible. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall have eternal life.” Questions and answers begin tumbling over in my mind. Questions... Why did God send Jesus? Was he really God’s Son? What happens to those who don’t believe in Jesus? Where and how and what is eternal life? The answers that settle in my soul are God loves the world, Jesus is the face of God in my world, and I can be with God here in this world and in the world to come. It is enough. Every question does not deserve an answer.

Be patient with all that is unresolved in your heart. And try to
love the questions themselves. Do not seek for answers that
cannot be given. For you wouldn’t be able to live with them.
And the point is to live the questions now, and perhaps without
knowing it, you will live along some day into the answers.
Rainier Maria Rilke

These quotes came from worship Sunday at College Park Baptist, Greensboro, N.C.