Finding the Answers

Answers. We all want to know. So it was with keen interest that I listened to a speaker tell the group that if you comb the gospels, you will not find Jesus offering any answers, but instead, he keeps the dialogue going. I haven't combed the scripture, but this sounds to me just the kind of thing Jesus would do.

Answers prove both helpful and harmful. When we battle with a question, we seek with a unique earnestness.  That in itself is healthy for our soul, so long as we do not become neurotic. But there are many questions in life we cannot answer. Continuing the dialogue helps us to understand the question more fully, to live the question, and to grow in the question. You may ask, what's the point?

The point is that sometimes questions are more important than answers, simple because there is more than one answer to that question. Or, the answer for you is different than the answer to someone else. Or if you think you have the answer, you will cease searching.

Some of our greatest writings  and discoveries came from someone seeking answers. John Powell said many years ago, first we must live the questions. Then, when the answer comes, we will understand it.