[The following is a version of a newsletter article I wrote for the July newsletter for Salem Lutheran Church.  I have made a few changes from the original article to make it more general.  I added a few things and took out specific Salem references.  Those of you who get the Salem newsletter please keep reading.  You might get something new out of this.]

I wish I had all the answers; then maybe the world would be a better place.  Maybe wars would stop; the threat of disease would pass; and the Vikings would finally win the Super Bowl.  If I had all the answers maybe money would be something to give away and not be kept; helping thy neighbor would not be a chore and volunteering would not be like pulling teeth.  If I had all the answers maybe churches would not have fights over “stupid” things; people would honor each other; and budgets would always be in the black.  If I had all the answers maybe people would actually talk to people directly about problems; (Sunday) sports would not reign supreme; and conflict would be considered healthy dialog.  If I had all the answers…

…but I don’t have all the answers.  Who does?  Don’t you ever search for that “someone” who has all the answers?  Maybe you think you are that someone.  But thinking you are that “someone” is part of the problem because no one has all the answers (kind of depressing, isn’t it?).  But then I wonder if that phrase is even correct because that would imply that someone has some of the answers.  I guess I would take that.  Some answers are better than none.  But then we get into the problem of getting those “some answers” mixed up with the wrong questions.  When that happens chaos ensues.  Maybe that is why the world is messed up; church attendance is so poor; and why there is terrorism plaguing our planet.  People think they have an answer but they are working on the wrong question.  That’s it.  Maybe I have an answer here.  I had better watch out, though, because others might come banging down my door to get a glimpse of my brilliance.  Everyone will want to hear my opinion and stake their future on my judgments (Really, I don’t have a big head; I am just trying to make a point).

I really am not that brilliant.  Sometimes I fool myself to think I am.  But I need to keep myself in check because I know it is not about me (or at least it shouldn’t be).  I know I am not the most brilliant preacher.  I know that I am not the most charismatic person in the world.  I know I am not the most articulate communicator (maybe you have figured that out already).  Actually, I would not even put myself in the top half of those so-called groups. 

So the answer we are all looking for has to lie elsewhere (not with me and not with you); perhaps to be forever buried.  Maybe my search for answers will never be satisfied.  Maybe my search will only turn up more questions (now doesn’t that sound frustrating?).  Maybe the answer itself is not important; maybe, just maybe it’s in the question.  That’s it.  We need to keep asking questions and not get caught up in the elusive answer; for the only one who has all the answers is God.  So we keep asking the question but then we shut up and listen; listen for the voice of God.  God will give us the correct answer for the correct question.  But the answer may not come right away and we may not like the answer.  But we WILL get an answer.  We might have to ask the question again and again and then listen to God say, “In due time”.  But in asking the questions over and over we are reminding ourselves to keep listening and not forget that there is an answer out there waiting for us.  But more importantly, it is a wise answer from a wise God.  So let’s keep asking the question and then listen for an answer to be revealed to us through God. Let’s keep ourselves in check and stay humble.  We really don’t have all the answer (sorry to burst your bubble).  So…what is your question?  Amen!

P.S. Please don’t mistake this article as an “answer”.

-EDH-