One year after asking God a specific question, I can see now that He gave me exactly what I needed, rather than just what I wanted at the time.
In October of 2019 I went on a personal retreat with the sole purpose of asking God a specific ‘yes’ or ‘no’ question.
In short, He didn’t give me a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. What He did give me was so much better.
In typical Jesus fashion, instead of only addressing the one issue and immediate need, He sees the bigger picture and took care of me accordingly.
The Story of the Paralyzed Man
Take for example the story found in Mark 2.
Jesus was preaching to the crowds in a town, and the crowd grew each day. It continued to get harder and harder for people to draw near to hear, let alone be touched by Jesus.
Verses 3-5 says, “Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
The purpose of the friends visit with their paralyzed friend was to ask Jesus to heal him physically. Yet, Jesus doesn’t start there. He knows better. He knows what will give this man lasting peace and real life, and that is to have his sins forgiven.
In verses 9-11, Jesus says, “Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”
Jesus knew that the best gift He could give anyone, including this man who was paralyzed, was to absolve him of all his sins forever. Who has the power to forgive every sin? Only one, Jesus.
This is just one example of many in the Bible where a person asks Jesus a question and instead of answering it directly, He gives a fully different answer. That answer often meant fuller life or clarity, depending on who was asking.
The Bigger Picture
God sees the whole tapestry while we only see one thread. It can feel like that one thread, this tough season in our life, is the only one. But God knows better and He always offers us what we need.
I went on this retreat to hear from God, specifically a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. I asked this one question because it felt like the answer would affect the rest of my life.
While He didn’t answer my question with ‘yes’ or ‘no’, He offered me something much more valuable.
The answer that God gave me was that no matter what happens, He would take care of me. God impressed this on my heart after I watched some birds fly to a feeder and feast on the seed. Our loving God takes care of them without their worry or care. (Matthew 6:26)
This message and word He spoke to me became relevant for the moment I was in, the next month, the one that followed that, and it was relevant into the new year.
When I had been out of work for months, His answer gave me peace. When the world was affected by COVID, I was reminded of the same message that was still, if not more, relevant.
At the time, I may have been a little upset because my specific focus and question went unanswered. But I received so much more, even unknowingly.
Just as the crippled man went in to be physically healed, Jesus gave him so much more. He forgave the mans sins, and also healed him physically.
What a God we serve!
If you are seeking God for an answer or help in this season of your life, I pray that you know you can count of Him.
Even if He doesn’t answer your question the way you think He should, He’s still working all things together for your good! (Romans 8:28)
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