"A Word to the Whys"

“A Word to the Whys”

My high school newspaper once had a column called “Who Says It?” listing quotes for which teachers had become (in)famous. Karen had a math teacher whose notable saying was, “A word to the wise is sufficient”. This adage is thought to have originated with Roman writers during the days of the Great Empire. The idea is that people will use their intelligence and/or common sense to understand and act appropriately in life’s situations. Have I always done so? No—but many times I wish I had!

I’ve taken some liberties with this ancient bit of wisdom in this article’s title. By definition “why” is asking the reason, purpose or cause of a statement or event. Sometimes one of a child’s first words is “Why?” Teenagers might use it to try to con their parents into changing their minds (guilty as charged!). And it’s posed in college classrooms to help students think for themselves (or at least this used to be done). So “why” goes beyond the first four “w” objective questions (who, what, where, when) and moves into subjective areas.

As I’ve visited in health care facilities and conducted funeral services over the years I’m frequently asked, “Why?”. In most cases I haven’t a satisfactory answer for the asker or myself. So as I meet people in these and other difficult circumstances I often respond, “I don’t have answers but I have ears.” I’ve learned that listening to someone’s concerns can be a great stress reliever for the hurting.

“Why” appears about 550 times in the Bible. Since it comes from God (“All Scripture is God-breathed….”—2 Timothy 3:16) there’s a reason behind each use, including its being used towards God (“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”—Psalm 22:1, quoted by Jesus on the cross in Matthew 27:46). I’ve heard some people say it’s wrong to ask God why. Not necessarily—Jesus in His human perfection did so. The difference for us might be between trying to understand and questioning God’s wisdom.

I know of no place in Scripture where God says, “Understand Me”—in fact, the opposite is true (“For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?”—1 Corinthians 2:16). But many times He tells us to trust Him (“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”—Proverbs 3:5). Will He fail me? Never (“If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.”—2 Timothy 2:13, NLT).

I hope this word to the whys is sufficient for now.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan