Today, we’ll begin with one of the toughest questions we can ever ask ourselves: Why? Why do I do that? Why do I say those things? Why does that tend to happen to me? Why do I always respond that way to that person? So often, we turn our “Why” questions to God. And often, in frustration. But turning the “why’s” upon ourselves, well, that can put us on the path to some real changes, if we get honest.  Because only identifying our “why’s” can change our “what’s”.

The answer to the question of “Why do I do (blank)? always being “Well, I just do” is never a good answer. To anyone, but especially to ourselves. So often, that answer is just an excuse for unacceptable behavior.

Two dynamics cause us to avoid answering the “why” questions.

The first is fear. Fear of not having a good answer. Fear of having to change. Fear of having to let go of something. Fear of not knowing how to find a new direction. Fear of the unknown. Fear of, well, fear.

The second reason we avoid the “why” questions is laziness and apathy. Fear and laziness keep us from greatness, from experiencing the real reason we are here, living right now, today, not "someday." Two things can happen when we honestly start to answer the “why” questions.

First, we open up the opportunity for change.

Second, we give God a shot at speaking to us in a new way.

So, today, I want to encourage and challenge you in a very personal way: I’m going to assume that because you are listening to this podcast right now, you are getting something out of our ministry. Well, there was a day in my life where I was consumed by the “what’s” in my life and avoiding the “why’s”. I was tired. Defeated. Hurt. Full of fear for the future. And, yes, I had plenty of days where apathy ruled.

But when I got up the courage to start asking myself “why” that’s the day God began to put me on the path toward hope and healing. And then as God began to shine a light on my path, the bigger questions led me to begin this ministry.

I want you to know that I’m not special. I don’t have some in-road to God more than you do. With that in mind, what might He want to do with you in in this new year that would be your calling, your way of reaching people just like today I have reached you. It begins with deciding to ask the tough question of “Why?” This week, as we walk through some honest evaluation, let’s apply just one simple question to every aspect of our lives: Why? It just might lead to the most powerful answers you have ever experienced.

Let’s close today from an amazing passage that U2 made popular with their song 40 from The Message Bible.

I waited and waited and waited for God. At last he looked; finally he listened.

Let’s pray: “Father, today, I give you my fears. I give you my tendency toward laziness and apathy. I hand over all my “why’s”. Speak to me this week as I prepare for a new year. I want to follow exactly where You want me to go. As above, so below.”