Discovering Why
“Come and See”—These three words lie at the heart of my “why.” Not a value (or a how) nor goal (or a what), a “why” is a purpose, cause, a motivation, or belief. And for me, since understanding my why has proven transformative, I would like to share some advice.
For believers, our “whys” vary. Matthew 28:19-20, Christ’s command to go and make disciples implies different “whys.” Making disciples and teaching are “what’s.” Our “why” determines the sphere in which we make disciples and teach. Matthew 28:19 literally says: “In your going (or when you go), make disciples of all nations,” and so hints at the different “whys” we believers exhibit. Wherever our “why” sends us, we can obey the Great Commission. For some of us, we fulfill it as we bring beauty to the world through art. For others, we make disciples while we bring peace through negotiation, hope through clean water, or justice through fighting human trafficking. For me, I teach and encourage children and adults, asking them to “come and see” the beauties of Christ and of serving Him. As recipients of the Great Commission, we believers live out “why’s” that link our personal and time-bound passions to God’s universal and everlasting priorities.
Our “whys” are specific, even special, because each of us brings a unique combination of skills, experiences, training, and gifts to our gospel living and sharing. Even though the outward form of our “why” may morph with the decades, the underlying “why” remains steady as we age. For believers, God has given us the encounters, talents, and spiritual enabling to reflect and grow the “why” He has placed within our hearts.
How can you discover your God-given “why”? Begin by reflecting about the person that God has made you—uniting both your life experiences and your spiritual growth. Follow these three steps:
· Examine the trajectory of your life: What abilities, relationships, jobs, and gifts have you developed? What spiritual gifts have you revealed? What opportunities has God given to you? What longings has He fanned?
· Examine the results of your choices. Ask yourself what makes your heart sing. What works of yours have helped others to grow? How do you best support a team? What are five of your favorite verses and why?
· Don’t confuse an ability with a “why.” For example, I always thought my why was to study and teach. But, then, when I “interrogated” my “why,” I recognized that teaching was my means but introducing people to full life in Christ was my “why.” Make sure your why is a purpose and not merely an activity.
Why bother you ask? It makes sense to devote time to discovering your “why’s” because your why informs what to do and how to do it. Once you have discovered your “why,” try to define it in one sentence. I reworked my “why” as follows: Through effective teaching, I seek to help people “come and see” (Jon 1:19, 42) Jesus. If I want to elaborate, I add this phrase, “particularly His saving protection (1 Peter 1:4-5), His daily enabling (Proverbs 14:4) and His generous promise of grace and favor (Psalm 84:11).
Perhaps you are still fuzzy about your “why.” Don't be afraid to solicit help. Once you have discovered you “why,” let it motivate you. Continue learning how to do your “why” better. Boldly share your “why “with others. In short: Listen to your why, develop your why, and share your why. God has made us both to ask why and live why.
