Answers

All of us can relate to a time in life when we have been awaiting an answer. Remember as a child anxiously awaiting a yes or no from your parents about something exciting like a sleepover? Or are you in the middle a more serious solution involving a doctor’s appointment to learn test results? Answers come in many forms and levels of importance and sometimes are big truths and other times they are just opinions. An answer is a response to a question or open ended problem needing a solution. Some answers are forgettable and insignificant and others can change the course of your life.

Answers also carry weight depending on the person or authority from which the answer comes. I think of a time when I was in a department store inquiring about an exchange of a faulty product. The employee behind the counter gave a response to my question without thought as she seemed agitated about actually having to work. I kindly asked for a manager because I felt that at least their response would be from a more capable person. This situation did work out well and the answer I was given was well informed and competent. 

I remember having this feeling when I was growing up, wondering what future awaited, and how was I supposed to get there. I wanted answers then and had a difficult time having patience with God.

I remember when I was 15 and staying a few days with my grandparents during a time in my life that I was searching for an answer. I heard them up later one night and used the excuse that I was needing a glass of water so that I could go sit with them. I sat and talked with them, cried (which was so rare), and we discussed life. I will never forget the wise words I was given. “Kim, it’s more about the journey than being perfect.”

I will never forget how that conversation changed my life. I had been in the grip of turmoil surrounding the unknown. I was stunted for some time from moving forward because I so wanted to make the perfect choices, control life, and make things happen. Even though I have continued to struggle through life wanting perfection and answers, something fell away from me that night.

Over the last two years, I have gained even more acceptance that, regardless of the answer, I will be ok. During the illness and loss of my husband and in the months since, I have begun to feel more peace as there has been a consistent response from God. He does not ever fail me. I am never out of His sight. His Holy Spirit is ever present and my life is sealed by a Savior’s sacrifice.

My perspective continues to be that whatever answer comes, it is held by the ultimate authority in my life. God’s will for my future, every day and moment, may not be evident now, but his will best serves the purpose to which I am called. I know it will be spoken by the most capable, competent, all knowing, and loving God. I won’t have to ask for a manager. 

I encourage you to read the entire passage of John 14: 5-14 but these verses stand out.
Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even if greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Author- Kim Carroll

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