You probably have many questions -- questions for God, questions about God, questions about life. Questions are a key part of any search or investigation. Before asking questions about God in your search, here are a few questions to ask yourself. While these aren't the end-all-be-all questions, they will help guide and focus your journey.
Why are you searching for God? What do you expect from God? Are you expecting him to solve your problems and remove all of life's difficulties? He may not be what you expect. While God does give good things and loves to do so, he doesn't want to be sought merely for what he can do for you. He wants you to find him because he is the ultimate gift -- he wants you to enjoy a relationship with him. Make it your goal to find God himself, no matter what the outcome.
What's your goal? Asking questions about God could keep you occupied for a lifetime, but the quest to find God is not meant to be one of life's unsolved mysteries (though it may seem like it at times!). God wants you to find him. How open are you to actually finding God? Let other people question for the sake of questioning.
What's your current concept of God? God wants to be known for who he really is. How would you feel if everyone was more interested in creating their own concept of who they think you are, rather than wanting to find out who you actually are? How much are you set on creating or confirming your own image of God? How much are you searching for God to discover who he really is?
Who do you think Jesus is? You may be thinking, "What does Jesus have to do with searching for God?" In Jesus, we find the clearest picture of God -- Jesus is the exact representation of God. God stepped into history when he wrapped himself in flesh and came to live on earth in the person of Jesus. In your search for God, explore Jesus -- look at his life and consider what he said and did. Then decide what you think of him.
How will you respond to Jesus? As you consider Jesus' character and claims, at some point you will need to decide on what you think of what he said and did. In one scene of The Passion of the Christ Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth and the life." Jesus later defines "life" more clearly: "And this is the real and eternal life: That they know you, the one and only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent." (John 17:3)
How will you respond to this gift of life? Just as you can't force someone to accept a gift from you, Jesus can't force you to take the gift of life he offers. Similarly, if you choose not to accept a gift from someone, it's not really yours to enjoy unless you respond by receiving it.
Copyright TruthMedia 2004. May not be reprinted without permission.
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