On March 30, 1964 a revolutionary new TV gameshow hit the airwaves, breaking with the traditional approach of “giving answers to questions” and moving to the unconventional “giving questions to answers” format.
For five decades now, the hit show JEOPARDY! has been doing just that and fans love it. Where else can you see the answer, “The Latin phrase for Hawaiian Red Ginger,” and hear the question, “What is, ‘Alpinia purpurata?’” Only on JEOPARDY!
Maybe it is all about the questions.
I wish we were watching more gameshows these days, but instead we are consumed with news of wars, pandemics, and violence—hoping to find answers to hard questions. But maybe, while we wait for these critical answers, we can turn our attention toward asking some essential, life-transforming questions.
Here are seven questions to get us praying, listening, and learning what God is doing within us.
The Heart Question
Have I felt a rising sense of urgency, or deeper joy, or renewed passion, or fresh insight, in response to any of the following: a book, article, activity, ministry, conversation, film, music, or piece of art?
In times of fear or trial, I have found my heart increasingly receptive to the inner voice of God. When he speaks—in Scripture, through his church, and by the Spirit—I listen. And I divert some time from other pursuits to prayer, reading, listening, and reflection on what he is saying.
God may stir my heart with artwork, music, reading, a conversation, a group prayer, a new friendship, or a marriage moment. Are you attentive to his voice and willing to echo Samuel the Prophet saying, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening?”
Pray. God, what are you ...