We often think of young children as being the source of the long chain of “why questions.”  Yet, there are times in our lives as adults when we may be as consumed with why questions as are some young children.  Such occasions are usually surrounding events such as a catastrophe in our own lives or the lives of those we know or hear about in some form of media news.  It is no secret that the why questions consume news reporters, police investigators, and even contractors repairing home damage.  In many cases, it is critical to answer the why questions in order to take the next appropriate step in accomplishing some remedy to a problem.  For example, a carpenter would be very frivolous in his efforts to replace a floor without first determining why it rotted out.  He must first determine if there was a water heater leak or some other plumbing issue, or termites eating the wood, or a roof leak, etc. 

We thus often regard determining the answer to the why questions as our foremost priority in our response to a problem.  You can probably even recall various Bible examples of circumstances where the why questions were posed in response to a problem.  Jesus was asked by His apostles why the blind man begging in front of the temple was blind (John 9:2).  Quite likely Paul asked God why he had to suffer with a “thorn in the flesh.”  Paul cites God’s answer as being, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  (II Corinthians 12:9)  And perhaps Paul asked God why his dear friend and diligent helper, Epaphroditus, was allowed to nearly die. (Philippians 2:25-30) 

In reading II Corinthians 12:6-10, you find that Paul concluded that he must accept his circumstance and live in such a way as to be stronger because of the infirmity.  “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (Verse 10)   I believe Paul’s example and the preservation of this aspect of his life are providentially intended for us as the crucial means to answer many of our own why questions.  I also believe that we may often find no other answers this side of eternity to some of the why questions.  I believe it critical that we demonstrate our trust in the Lord and grow in our faith to accept His will and providential guidance to work things out for the good – no matter how hard it might be for us to now understand.  What is our level of faith and leaning upon God when everything seems to be going perfectly well?  We then tend to see no need for dependency upon God.  Let us use our hardships and struggles as did Paul as the prompt to lean upon God and have greater strength than we would have had without that prompt. 

As you know, Paul wrote of his having finished the race as he anticipated the end of his life.  None of us really ever knows when the end will come for us in the race of life.  What we must be certain of is that we are on the right course and moving in the right direction.  This implies the necessity of living in accordance with God’s Word and growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. 

The race begins as we become God’s children in obeying the Gospel.  It ends with our death or the return of the Lord. To be certain that we remain on the right course, we must be vigilant in our study of God’s Word individually at home -- and collectively when we meet with the saints.  We must make adjustments as the Lord helps us discern in study that we have deficits.  And let us not forget that the Lord provided us with the great blessing of a spiritual family to help us in this race.  Those who appreciate this blessing for what it is never fail to meet up with this spiritual family when it is assembled.  And they even manage to often find the time to make contact with that family between assemblies.  Those who appreciate the blessing of having the written Word of God, feed regularly thereupon.  Those who appreciate what our Father and Savior have done for us are eager to render worship and to commune with the Father in prayer. 
 
In these times, perhaps little is accomplished in saying that one ought to be at the assembly of the saints, that one ought to read the Bible, that one ought to reverently offer worship, or that oneought to give in accordance with how one is blessed of God.  On the other hand, if you love God, love Christ Jesus, love God’s Word, and love His family, you will not fail to do these things.  Doing these things is a natural outpouring of one’s love and appreciation.  May we have the confidence of Paul that we are on the right course and going in the right direction.  Don’t forget that John wrote of his desire for his readers to know that they have eternal life. 

2Timothy 4:7-8  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

1John 5:13  I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.