As our children were growing up, at the usual age, they began to ask, why?
I want you to brush your teeth. Why? It’s time for you to go to bed. Why? You need a good night’s sleep. Why? You have school tomorrow and you need to be alert. Why? Finally, in frustration, I would exclaim, because I said so!
Yet, this simple, one word question, is powerful in considering the decisions we make as spiritual leaders.
Why? Give it some thought.
Great thoughts. I have learned that I am more motivated to do something if I know why I am doing it. Yes, we are called to obey God even if we do not know why He commands it but knowing why He commands helps.
I think it is important to preach the do’s, don’ts and why’s. Many people see God’s commands as burdensome and perhaps it is because we have been telling them what to do and what not to do without providing the rewards and consequences of their actions (the why).
My son asked me why I didn’t permit him to climb on the coffee table (that has a glass top). I could have said “because I said so” and left it at that but I decided to explain to him why I had given the command.
http://andrewlemus.wordpress.com/2010/10/27/a-fathers-love/