The Power of Questions

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ASK of GOD, who gives to all liberally and without reproach…”
- James 1:5

During my own journey as an Evangeleader, there are many answers that I’ve been looking for. However, with every answer, there has to be a preceding question…wow, that’s deep right? (Joking)

There are many students and professionals that find themselves looking for their life vision to be defined, a next step, the lost piece to the puzzle, a new opportunity…some overall sense of direction. Our mind begins looking for answers and wisdom for where we should be. We then begin to experience the swirl of confusion, doubt, and hopelessness. I’ve been there and at times I still feel it.

Why do we feel this way? Well, it’s because sometimes we look for answers without probing with the right foundational questions. When we don’t proactively ask the right questions, our journey becomes reactive and we wait for the next big clue to appear out of nowhere. We end up waiting for a great dream to come to us at night. I’m sure some of us have prayed for that!

Life guiding questions are an important part of personal progress as an Evangeleader. Have you hit a point of confusion? Do you feel you’ve hit a plateau in your career? Are you frustrated with being stuck in limbo land? As a student, do you know where to go after you walk off the graduation platform?

Don’t lose hope. In fact, be encouraged and use well-defined questions to light your path. Here are a few that have benefited my own career and spiritual development:

1. What do I enjoy doing? (Things that I draw energy and excitement from)
2. What am I capable of doing WELL? (talents, gifts, strengths)
3. What are my weaknesses?
4. Am I leveraging my strengths in my current job or curriculum?
5. Does my current job or degree program intrigue me?
6. Can I use it as a stepping stone, or is it just a stone in the way?
7. If where I am is not the best fit, what are some potential destinations? (A new degree program, new job, new career path, etc.)
8. What are some steps that I need to complete to get to that new destination?
9. What opportunities should I test out that are available to me right now?
10. What can I do to start building momentum towards the new destination?
11. What are the limitations and restrictions to my current progress? (fear, money, wisdom, etc.)
12. What can I do to resolve these limitations?
13. What does God have to say about my plans through Word and Prayer? Am I in a place of testing and refinement for a reason?

And the list goes on!

Specific questions are powerful because they force us to dig deep and provide honest answers. Sometimes, the answers are intimidating because you may be challenged to take a step of faith in an opposite direction. Other times, the questions will reveal life changing truths about you.

Don’t live life as it comes. We can never plan every detail of our future ahead of time, but we can at least probe ourselves and God with questions to prevent complacency. If you don’t find the answers you’re looking for right away, be patient, wait on the Lord, and keep asking the Source of all wisdom. Your answer is coming.

Pop the Culture,

Bro. Wize