What is the hardest question to answer?

The other day I was invited to do a keynote to 50 Christian business leaders at their Friday morning session.

Due to family logistics, Kaleb (my 7-year old son) had to go with me, so I woke him up at [5:40] AM in order to be on the road at 6 AM.

Instead of sleeping on this early morning ride, Kaleb was awake and curious. He asked, ‘Dad, what are you going to talk to them about today?’

I didn’t know at what level to respond in case his interest faded quickly, so I kept it high level.

I told Kaleb the individual who invited me to speak asked me to share my story and answer the following three questions during my talk.

1. What is God doing in your life right now?

2. What does Christian community mean to you?

3. What miracle are you praying for God to answer?

As quickly as I rattled off the three questions, Kaleb asked, ‘Dad, what is the hardest question to answer?’

What?!?! Who asks that question, especially a seven-year-old?

Although I had not verbalized the difficulty of any particular question, there was one.

I said, ‘Actually, Kaleb the hardest question to answer is the one about ‘what miracle am I asking God to answer right now?’

‘Why dad?’ he said.

I briefly answered him, but this conversation resurfaced moments later.

‘What are you seeking?’

As I was giving my talk that morning to the business leaders, this car conversation popped back up in my mind but with the nudge to share it with the audience.

I shared the conversation Kaleb and I had on the drive, and then said, “Jesus knew this would be hard for us.”

The very first words Jesus says in the book of John is ‘what are you seeking?’

We see it again in John 5, when Jesus sees a man who has been sick for 38 years and asks him, “Do you want to get well?”

I think Jesus asks because we all have a ton of needs/wants at a time, so he wants us to know what is most important to us.

However, I think there is a more simple, yet more powerful reason.

God wants us to show humility and ask for the help we need. God wants to help all of us, but I am sure he gets more joy in helping those that want help.

I also believe there is power in speaking out loud what we need. By declaring what we need, we start to step towards our need with God by our side.

What about you?

If Jesus was to show up right now to wherever you are reading this – your car, your office, your house – what is your answer? Is it improved health? Improved marriage? More sales at work? What do you need God to help you with right now.?

Try it.

“God, please help me with _____________________. I can’t do it on my own, and need your help.”

Thank you,

Cory

P.S. I love this picture because a man at the event, Kevin, asked for me and Kaleb to sign my book. A memory I may never forget! Thanks Kevin!

#blog