Forget the Right Answer: Are You Asking the Right Question?

Yesterday I was reading a devotional that quoted minister John Lancaster from Cardiff, South Wales, in his article entitled, “Where on Earth is God?” There he asks the question, “Given a choice between attending a seminar, say, on the 'Glory of God in Isaiah' and one on 'The Christian and Sex,' to which would you go?” Take a moment to be honest with yourself about it and why. Lancaster “'makes the point also that although the church often answers the questions people are asking, the real problem may be that people are not asking the right questions.' In today's church we are far too man-centered and not God-centered.”

What Christian books do you read? Which studies or classes do you take? Have you taken/studied anything that tells you nothing about you but is all about God?

Recently a person I have prayed will find salvation for years has come back to mind and also more into the picture. As I've thought about new ways to approach the subject and dreamed about the responses after they accept, I found that my mind has shifted gears. Before, I had a list of churches they could attend, people who could take them under their wing, studies they could read, and devotionals that I thought would interest them most in mind. But I was wrong. None of those things are bad- they can all be very helpful! Yet, when this person comes to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, there is only one thing I can think to tell them of uttermost importance:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. (Matthew 22:37

After that everything else will fall in place.

Why do we teach new Christians – and convince ourselves – that we need do the right things and find the most motivational material we can to keep us interested in God. Shouldn't He be enough? What more influential mentor is there than the Holy Spirit? Who can be a better brother than Christ? Which book can be more helpful than the Bible?

Please don't get me wrong. We need all the other stuff too (Hebrews 10:24-25), but we should never place it above God. See, that's the amazing thing about Him. When we seek and desire nothing but Him, all the rest comes as a joy. We then desire to worship together, read in-depth materials, encourage and be encouraged by fellow brothers and sister in Christ. We just need not forget: We are there for Him. Not us.