As a child we learned a different way on some levels. I think part of my perspective as a child was predicated on asking the questions. Why? Where? What? I believe I was instructed and taught to look for answers. To be critical in my approach to things. Even skeptical. But to stop there would have been error. If I did not believe something, I wanted to prove my thinking.

Critical thinking is defined as “the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment.”

As a child I experimented with things to see if they would work. Not work. My ability to think was enhanced by the process I undertook.

When I was in school there were two things that caused me issues. One of those things was what they called “new math”. The purpose behind the “new math” was to demonstrate process. My difficult was I did math in my head. The process was boring. Unnecessary I felt. At best, “for others”. 1+1=2. I did not need multiple steps. So I railed against it. The teachers would say “we need to see your work”. I had none. I had answers. Right or wrong, that is what I had.

The crowning blow was a math teacher who read the math book the day before the class to “know”. He reprimanded me publicly over something because I challenged him. He used wrongful authority to get his way. I went home that night and told my parents I am going to a private school. I am all done. (After many tearful discussions they agreed A)if I could get in and B)I was going to have a job and work my butt off over the summers to pay for it. I agreed to both. I was accepted one of four out of 164 applicants. Off I went.)

The second issue has to do with the idea of research. Yesterday someone posted a picture of a card catalog in a library. The caption said, “this was my Google”. It caused me to be reminded of a teacher who had a request that our test would need 4 references from a card catalog. I passed. My mom was a teacher and had me in libraries since I could walk. I was an early reader and love card catalogs.

Two examples. One of the power of research. The other about process.

Today I have questions for God. I have circumstances in life that “require” answers. Some of them have to do with ministry as I and so many enter a new season. (Classes I will be doing, ministry related prophecy rooms and more.) What book signings will I take on? (I took a motorcycle drive this weekend as well as hike to northern New Hampshire. It triggered creative thinking. Thoughts I had kept under wraps because who wants to be disappointed?) What will my next book be? Other thoughts came.

But this morning I awoke with a bigger one. It requires more than research. It requires the revelation and wisdom of the Lord.

Not every question has answers in our time frame. Not every question will be answered…or at least not how we may choose we would like it.

Over the years I have learned a lot about faith. About God. About process. Sometimes it is difficult to separate fear from wisdom, revelation from stuff and “practical versus the impractical”.

This morning I woke early to ask Him for help. To seek answers. Ironically, I have found God is less about answers and more about plumbing the depths of your experience, your history, your thinking. Last night as I was spending time with one of my sons, I found myself talking about “we don’t know what we know”. What is inside that is historical, factual or part of our DNA or culture that has equipped us for this situation? What are we plumbing? God has put the answers inside of us.

Just as a bird or animal has a migratory sense, that something that calls them so do we as believers, even humans have something that calls us. Yes, we can mask it or be unaware of it, but it pulls. Like the gentle force of a magnet, God is drawing us in to His love.

I do not have an answer this morning. I have trust in Him.God is not an ATM. He is God. Giver of good things. Good gifts and more.

Maybe you have been around the mountain. Have you avoided the process?

Maybe you have “the answers” but suffer over the question. Or where the answers go?

Maybe you have had to start all over. That may well be your process or your answer.

All of creation leads to God. That includes people. Relationships are the bond of God. They also provide the divine connections that may have been avoided to by pass things.

While writing on fathers the last few months, I studied Jacob as part of my research. He comes to this place. The land of father Abraham’s walking. And he makes a statement. “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.”

Hmmm…Sometimes we get so caught up with the familiar we miss God.