Christopher continued, "And the Children of Israel fought the Egyptians, and the Children of Israel fought the Romans, and the Children of Israel were always doing something important, right?" "All that is right, too," agreed Grandpa Russ. "So what's your question?" he asked. "Well Grandpa, What were all the grown-ups doing all that time?"

Hopefully you can chuckle at the above story, or at least smile about it, because we understand that "The Children of Israel" was a description of the Israelite nation. But, this little story sometimes illustrates the level of questions we hear from adults also.

I never cease to be amazed at the areas of question that some folks argue about. I believe that some of the folks I have come into contact with in the past 40 years or so really like to argue more than search for answers with an open heart.

The apostle Paul gave this instruction to the young preacher Timothy:

Don't let people waste time in endless speculation over myths and spiritual pedigrees. For these things only cause arguments; they don't help people live a life of faith in God (1 Timothy 1:4 NLT).

You have the ability to choose!

I would suggest that our time would be much better spent asking questions that really matter, such as, "Where do I want to end up after this life is over?" and "How do I get there?" or even, "What does God expect of my life?" If we concentrate on those questions, the rest of the important things in life will fall into place.

You have the ability to choose: "endless speculation" over things for which there are no answers, or questions that really matter. I would recommend that we pay heed to the old adage when it says, "Think twice; ask once." You may prefer the more modern admonishment that says, "Put brain in gear before engaging mouth."

You may be surrounded by many doubts and questions about things in your life or things in our world, but are they really important? Are you more interested in arguing or in searching? In the book of Acts, we meet a jailer in the city of Philippi. He asks Paul and Barnabas THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION any of us can ask: And he [the jailer] brought them [Paul and Barnabas] out [of the prison], and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30).

How about you, have you asked that question? Check out the answer the jailer received and how he responded (Acts 16:31-34). That may be the answer you are looking for in life.

 

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© 2008 Russ Lawson, Messages from the Heart. All rights reserved.

Title: "The Question That Matters Most"
Author: Russ Lawson
Publication Date: February 28, 2008

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Russ Lawson is a former missionary to Africa and minister in Ohio. He now works with World Christian Literature Outreach and writes a weekly email devotional, Messages from the Heart. For more information about Russ, click here.

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