Because I Asked You To
By: Justin March

“He has shown you, O Mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8

“He said to them, “Go into the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
Mark 16:15

I can almost guarantee that when I ask my children to take out the trash, empty the dishwasher, put away their clothes, or do any other chore that will help out the family, they will immediately ask why.  Sometimes the question comes with a little defiance, and sometimes it is just merely to understand why I am asking them to do this task.  I could easily get into a discussion with them about how doing chores builds character, teaches discipline, promotes cleanliness, and prepares them for a world that will constantly be asking them to do something.  But no matter the reason, what it really boils down to is the fact that I am their father, and they should do it because I asked them to.

Are we asking God why as he nudges us to do something in this life?  Are we defiant, argumentative, or even ignorant to the reasons he is guiding us and preparing the way that brings us closer to Him?  What if God decided to abolish the forgiveness, acceptance, and grace he bestows upon us when we deny the call and decide to make our own decisions?

I find that our children ask less questions when they see my wife and I doing the same things we ask of them.  Leading by example helps them understand that it takes all of us to make this home a clean, healthy place to live.  And completing the tasks, without argument or resistance, gives us more time to spend together as a family and do the things we love.

When I find myself questioning God and what he wants me to do in this life, I need to look no further than what I am asking my children to do.  He has already led by example as he healed the sick, fought for the underprivileged, forgave our sins, extended his grace, and even died on the cross.  And all He asks is that we follow his call, love our neighbors, and spread His messages so that all His children have the chance to walk this miraculous journey.

We have entered the Lenten season, and God is asking us to do some chores.  They may seem cumbersome and daunting, yet He is asking us to complete them anyway.  He wants us to look in the mirror and reflect on our lives.  He is asking us to repent, rid ourselves of our sinful nature, and follow His calling to avoid making the same mistakes.  And He is preparing us to sacrifice so we may appreciate the abundance He provides each and every day.

I can make the choice to argue with God, question His authority, and deny His calling.  I can follow my own path and ignore His signals.  I can think I know better than He, and I can continue to try to accomplish the tasks the world shoves in my face.  But hasn’t God already walked in my shoes, extended His grace, and forgiven my sins so that I can come clean and bring others to Him?

I know He has, and He no longer needs to prove anything.  Maybe it is time to have a little more faith, show a little more love, and extend a little more grace.  And maybe, just maybe, if we can build that trusting relationship with God, we will no longer ask why when He needs us to do something for Him.  We will merely complete the tasks just because He asked us to!