The $64,000 question
First, a story. Then, the point.
***
In the late 1950s, Bob had finally made it to the last round of the $64,000 Question. The night before the big question, he told the M.C. that he desired a question on American History. The big night had arrived. Bob made his way on stage in front of the studio and TV audience. He had become the talk of the week all around the country. He was the best guest this show had ever seen. The M.C. stepped up to the mike.
“Bob, you have chosen the category of American History for your final question. You know that if you correctly answer this question, you will walk away $64,000 dollars richer. Are you ready?”
Bob nodded with a cocky confidence and the crowd went wild. He hadn’t missed a question all week. ”Bob, your question on American History is a two-part question. As you know, you may answer either part first. As a rule, the second half of the question is always easier. Which part would you like to take a stab at first?”
Bob was now becoming more noticeably nervous. He couldn’t believe it, but he was drawing a blank. American History was his easiest subject, but he played it safe. ”I’ll try the easier part first.”
The M.C. nodded approvingly. “Here we go Bob. I will ask you the second half first, then the first half.”
The audience grew silent with intense anticipation …
“Bob, here is your question: And in what year did it happen??”
***
We’re going through a process right now where we’re trusting in the promise of the Lord’s provision….waiting on God, exploring his will, relying on his guidance.
It’s a daily adventure that in a lot of ways feels like competing on The $64,000 Question. With each progressive step, the stakes seem to increase with the implications of what happens after God reveals the answers to the questions we’re asking. We find ourselves at a point where we’re asking a lot of things like…
- “And what if?”
- “And then what?”
- “And how will…?”
- “And when do we…?”
- “And where will we…?”
These (and the many others akin to them) are all like Bob’s second-part question. Human nature always has us running ahead of God and asking questions that may be irrelevant, unimportant, or altogether faith-damaging.
A few things I’m learning all over again in this Graduate School of Following:
- God shows me only enough to take my next step. If he showed me the full scope, I wouldn’t need faith. Possibly, the whole scope could frighten or overwhelm me. Certainly, I’d under-appreciate the journey for the focus on the destination.
- Those who are justified advance through the journey by faith, not by what they can see. God’s promises are visible only by the eyes of faith.
- The purpose of the journey is not arriving at the next stop. The purpose is the daily experience of meeting with God and enjoying being in his company.
- It’s not easy. And at times, I’m not very good at it. It requires seemingly continual surrender, and I’m regularly surprised by the resiliency of my contentious human nature.
- God is good and his plan is the best. God alone gave me every single thing I have. He provides for me each day. If he takes from me, it is his anyway and it has been taken so I will draw nearer to him. If he gives more to me, it is still his and it is for his benefit and purpose that I use it.
Today…and each new day…I find that the “first part” question is the same as the one Jesus asked Peter: “Do you love me?”
As I focus on the answer and all of the implications of the affirmative response, the relevancy of the “second-part” questions diminish to the point of triviality.
