The Ministry of a Question
“How is school going?” asks every individual outside the demographic of college age. If your experience is similar to mine, the response usually includes a brief summary of my class schedule, work commitment, student ministry involvement, my gratitude for genuine friendship, and often, my time at the Study Center. To me, this is one of the most sacrificial questions I am consistently asked. The initiator gains nothing from knowing the mundanity of my week; in fact, the conversation could be labeled as unmemorable and disinteresting.
Unless the question-asker is attempting obligatory small talk, they minister to me as they are interested in knowing me enough to engage in a potentially boring conversation. Their willingness to follow up with interest and empathy has the potential to transform a question into care and insight into my life. These gentle, often older, question-askers have taught me that small talk may be a way of caring for the person in front of you.
Jesus asks questions. In fact, he asks questions that he knows the answer to. He does not benefit from the question; the recipient doesn’t see more of His character; they are simply given a space to answer, confess, repent, and honor God with their answer. In Genesis, God’s questions encourage His people to confess. To various heroes of the faith in the Old Testament, God uses questions to reveal His power and challenge doubt. In the gospels, Jesus asks questions to encourage the listener to verbally articulate who He is. I wonder if a fraction of God’s motivation in question-asking is to show his inexplicable care in conversation.
I find in my nearsightedness that I often draw closest to those who understand me best. I draw near to those who see me fully, those who know my intentions, desires, and future hopes. I am drawn to care for those who know how to care for me.
I am overwhelmed by God’s kindness in that His nearness is not dependent on my knowledge of Him. He sees me as I am, and understands that I will not fully see Him as He is while I have a physical body, as his peace surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7), and his greatness is incomprehensible (Psalm 145:3). God cares for me even though I do not see Him as He is. How many people do I love fully knowing they are extremely limited in how well they can know me? How well do I care for people that show little potential for my future benefit? God cares to know me although I cannot fully know Him. He asks questions without mutual benefit or the expectation of reciprocity. I pray that this is my motivation for question asking: that I would seek to see others as Jesus sees me. I pray that in conversation I would attempt to see others as they are (wholly!), how we will, according to 1 John 3:2, one day see Christ forever!
Staff and students at the Study Center have numerous times ministered to me in this way: question-asking without expected benefit. I have been encouraged by small talk questions that are rooted in genuine care and interest. This is the aroma of Christ personified at the Study Center: eye contact, a question, quietly listening, pointing out success, interest, speaking highly of others, and making much of the glory and kindness of Jesus. A question is care.
