Who, What, Where, When, WHY?????

I majored in journalism at college. They taught me to answer these questions when writing a story: who, what, where, when and why?
As sinful human beings, we tend to focus on the last one the most, don’t we?

WHY did I get a bad roommate? WHY can’t I find Christian friends at college? WHY am I having such a hard time with my classes? WHY am I always short of money? WHY did my girlfriend/boyfriend dump me? WHY did I get sick?

When we get lost in the world of WHY, it can be helpful to look to the book of Job for guidance. Job suffered great earthly affliction, but it was all to a greater purpose (consider that even now people are still opening their Bibles to Job when having problems). At various points, Job asked God WHY? Here is one of the answers God gave him.

Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: … “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? (Job 38:1,4-7)

Often times God doesn’t give us an answer to WHY, but He does let us know that He is all-powerful and in control of all things for the good of His church. Plus, He does give us some hints here and there when it comes to WHY. For example, we know that affliction serves to strengthen our faith (Hebrews 12:6) and that any sufferings we endure are not worthy to be compared to heaven (Romans 8:18).

Furthermore, God does gives us the answers to Who, What, Where, When, Why on what matters most.

Who? Jesus…

What? Forgiveness of sins — our salvation…

Where? On the cross…

When? At exactly the right time in history…

Why? Because He loved us…

If you find yourself bogged down in WHY questions, start remembering WHO is the answer to every question — Jesus.