Heart-Wide-Open Questions

I’ll never forget what I heard on the radio a few days ago. Susie Larson told the story of an author she’d interviewed who cautioned his readers about the dangers of assuming you understand exactly what God is up to.

God might lead you to go to nursing school but that doesn’t mean He is calling you to be a nurse. He might call you to write a book but that doesn’t mean it will happen tomorrow.

“It’s so important to stay in step with God,” Susie explained.

Too often we pray for God to show us the way and then the moment we walk through His open door, we shut down our heart to His Voice.

So how do we refuse assumptions and instead walk forward with heart-wide-open anticipation?

Here’s what God showed me:

We simply ASK QUESTIONS!

God spoke to me through a story detailed in the second chapter of the book of Acts.

Suddenly, a “sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house” and they saw what appeared to be “tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each one of them.” The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to declare God’s wonders in the languages of all those in the city!

This incredible story is followed by two totally different responses:

1. Some, amazed and perplexed, kept asking each other: What does this mean?
2. Others made fun of them and accused them of being drunk.

Do you see the difference?

• The first group opens their hearts to the possibility that God is doing something NEW! They realize it’s BIGGER than anything they ever could have imagined – FAR beyond what they can understand or explain.

So with hearts-wide-open they ask: What does this mean?

They are seeking a God-Sized revelation!

• The second group is a sad, disillusioned, cynical mess! They refuse to be delighted! They refuse to spend even one moment considering “God-possibilities.”

With closed-minded assumptions, they dismiss the miraculous display of God’s power with the first explanation that comes to mind: “Too much time in the wine cellar!”

Hmmm . . .

• Heart-wide-open anticipation … or closed-minded assumptions
• God-sized revelations … or man-made explanations
• Seeking … or cynical

God promises: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you . . .” (Jeremiah 29:13-14)

I think I’m going to start asking more questions . . .

Lord, fill my heart with all the awe and amazement You deserve! May I enjoy ongoing conversations with You – refusing assumptions as I anticipate God-sized revelations!

Teach me to ask questions: Lord, what are You up to? What do You have for me here? How do You want me to respond? What are Your thoughts? What is Your plan?

Help me stay in step with Your Spirit as I bring my questioning confusion under the power of Your Story!

Show me Your Glory!