Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.
To know what to do is important. We should know what to do, but we should also look beyond “what” and attempt to understand “why”.
Why is a natural question of life. Presently I am blessed to once again have young children in my house. Four of our seven grandchildren, along with our daughter, currently live with us while our son-in-law, who is a Captain in the US Army, completes his tour in Iraq.
One of my grandson’s name is Joshua, he is 4 years old and quite an inquisitive young man who loves to work alongside his granddaddy. I have noticed that he is going through a recognizable stage of child development. I call it the “why” stage. You probably know what I am talking about.
This is not the whiney, complaining, smart mouth, don’t want to do it, “why” question - But rather the real quest to understand “why”, question. Right now he sees almost everything from his own perspective and only how decisions affect him. It seems unimaginable to him that such a loving authority figure such as myself would ever make a decision that would disfavor what he sees would be best for him. Therefore he questions “why?”
This is a natural process of life and is necessary to healthy development. You see:
We are not raising children, we are raising adults … we just have them during their childhood years to accomplish the task.
Believe me, both God and man value the day when their children understand why we do what we do, instead of just having to be told what to do. Understanding why is a part of growing up, maturing and looking to the future.
While some are so busy living for the moment they neglect to prepare for the future, others are so focused on the future that they forget to live in the moment.
Some parents are so concerned about what their children may become that they don’t allow them to enjoy who they are, to grow along the natural paths of life and live the life they have while they still have it.
We should strive for excellence, but we should not wait until we get everything just like we want it before we enjoy life.
Don’t wait until you get everything you want before you enjoy what you already have.
Life should be lived, life should be enjoyed, and life should be productive, one day at a time.
If all of our efforts do not produce lasting results … what real advances have we made?
Life is a process, a journey, a road upon which every person travels. Life is filled with both predictable and unpredictable adventures.
Most days the path of life is safe and easy to follow. However, without notice we can encounter sudden and dangerous curves. It is important that we stay alert and spend some time preparing for the future. Like children we should grow to understand why God wants us to do what He wants us to do. If we never understand “why” we do what we do, then we will forever be like children needing someone else to tell us what to do.
When we don’t understand why we are doing what we are doing, we often lack the passion to do it as it deserves to be done.
A short time ago we discussed five truths which we could use to balance our lives. These truths are simple yet they hold the keys to life as God intended.
This morning we are going to look deeper into these truths by asking the question, “Why?”
Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him."
Truth number one:
1. It’s not good to be alone.
I do not mean it is not good to have some alone time. Everyone needs alone time. What I mean is that it is not good to live life in isolated solitude. This can happen even when we are surrounded by people, connected with others, playing on a team, functioning within a group … all the while alone, unknown and unknowing of others, closed off to meaningful relationships which stretch us, strengthen us, challenge us, change us, sharpen us and make us whole and complete.
Even if we have God in our lives … God never intended for His relationship with man to take the place of man’s relationship with man.
… But why?
Ecclesiastes 4
9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Why? Because it’s not always all about you. You might not be the person who needs warming or is being attacked or who has fallen down. You don’t just need friends, others need you to be a friend to them.
2. Life is meant to be enjoyed.
Ecclesiastes 3:13 Every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.
1 Timothy 6:17 … God gives us richly all things to enjoy.
There are some common principles which will help everyone enjoy life.
Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
Ephesians 6:2 "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise:
Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. (NKJV)
The Amplified Bible says:
Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives
Colossians 3:18 ¶ Wives, be subject to your husbands
Why are these things so important? Because every person is tied to another person in some relationship of life. When we do not do our part in the relationship, it produces the same thing in others which would be produced in us if they did not do their part. Life is meant to be enjoyed so God put rules in place for us to follow with respect to others … not only so that we could enjoy our life, but so that others we are in relationship with could enjoy their lives as well.
You know how difficult it is to enjoy life when someone you are in relationship with will just not do their part? Imagine, that’s how others feel about you when you do not uphold your responsibilities. It is not enjoyable.
3. Life is designed to be lived one day at a time.
Matthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Lamentations 3
22 Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
Why is life designed to be lived one day at a time? Because, the only life we have is now! Yesterday is a memory and tomorrow a dream, neither can be lived, neither can be enjoyed unless we enjoy it now.
When we rob ourselves and others of the “now” power of life, we rob life altogether. God gives us fresh new chances at life each day, so must we also give others those chances despite yesterday. It is the kingdom way.
In God’s Kingdom We are never more than one day away from all that we need.
4. Life is work.
1 Timothy 6:6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
It will take effort on your part to be godly. Ungodliness seems to come so easy, and is a common reaction to the pressures of life … godliness however requires strength of character and purpose. Life, at least a godly life, is work! Why?
Because there is an enemy who is roaming to and fro throughout all the earth seeking those whom he may devour and if you do not keep your guard up, keep your armor on, keep your sword sharp, you could be deceived, tricked, tripped up, taken captive and mess up life for you and the lives of a bunch of other folks.
Thinking it cannot happen to you is the first sign of deception.
This is why we read our Bibles, sing our praises, attend our churches, lift our petitions heavenward, say no to temptations and witness to others, and stay close to Jesus.
Peter’s admonition is still as necessary today as ever: Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, walks about as a roaring lion seeking those whom he may destroy … resist him steadfast in the faith!
Godliness will require work!
5. The future is an empty place unless you fill it.
God has designed the future to be what you make it, both in this life and in the life to come. If you desire corn, corn must be planted; if you desire wheat, wheat must be planted; if you desire kindness, seeds of kindness must be planted; if you desire to be loved, seeds of compassion must be planted; if you desire friends tomorrow, you must be friendly today.
What we do today engages us in the process of life and makes a difference in our tomorrows, not only for us, but also for others throughout the world.
What are you going to do today about your future and the future of others both in this life and the life to come? Ask yourself two questions - 1: What does God want me to do; 2: Why?
If you will ask yourself those two questions, you will find the answers, and they will motivate you to do the will of God with God’s purpose and God’s passion.
