I recently built a work bench and shelves in my basement. This was part of my every present effort to organize what can be a somewhat cluttered life. And I mean that literally. My life is full of clutter, Netflix envelopes, dirty bowls, and single socks. I guess it’s my nature. Still it is something Im working on. One of the many things I am working on. If I survey my life and take a personal inventory as I often do I see a lot of positive steps in the last year? I feel a more defined purpose in my job, I’ve purchased a house, and I’ve built aforementioned shelves for the house. These are steps to and ultimate goal of having my questions answered life in order and finding contentment. It is a goal I am always working towards but doubt and hope I never achieve. As a co-worker once jokingly said about me I don’t get confused I stay that way. While I love developing order and structure in my life it’s the questions and disorder that truly intrigue me. Because it’s from the disorder, the confusion the unknown that new things and advancements come. Perhaps this is what pushed me to a creative field. I love that I get to find unique solutions. People’s needs are different and as a result the buildings they use are all different. While a one size fits all building would be easier it wouldn’t address the need. Sadly it’s what people often get and I think the underlying reason why is people don’t care to ask the necessary questions. They don’t want to push for the best answer. They want what is easy, Im sick of easy. I would much rather toil over the difficult question than provide a mundane answer to a mundane question. This goes far beyond buildings. How many personal problems do people try to answer with cookie cutter answers? How often do we take the cliché advice? All just to say it’s answered; I have that taken care of “Whatever else happens, I've got that sofa problem handled”.
Still that is a scary concept. To always be confused. It’s easy for me to forget that while my life is confusing the ultimate question of what is my life is answered. My life is a gift from God. Created to praise and enjoy him. The short comings of my life are cause by my sin. The salvation and justification of my life is because of my Savior’s death on the cross. So what does that all mean. It means the most important question has been answered. Im left free to ask the other questions not out of fear or compulsion but out of a desire to know more, become more. My debt has been paid from this point on all I do is in the black. I get to ask questions, be confused, and filled with wonderment not because I have to but because I can. It’s the difference between being curious and concerned.
Im part of a family of engineers, business men, financial analyses, scientist and other problem solvers. My aunt, an engineer, once said engineers solve problems. They do, they are great at it and it is an immensely valuable skill. At my undergraduate graduation a speaker said how the last four years has taught the students, myself and others, how to ask the right questions, Im beginning to understand that. I love to ask question, I always have. To me that’s what adventure is. It’s not danger or rebellion, it’s doing something unknown. It’s ordering jelly fish because you want to ask that question, what is it? I hope I continue to find answers, build order, and create stability. I love the idea of always having matching socks and knowing where my keys are. But past that I hope I always have questions, I hope Im always asking them about myself and what I can do. I never want to be content with who I am or what I do. I could be content with my life right now, and I am in ways. I have a lot of good things going, a lot to be thankful for. But ultimately I want more, and not in a selfish way. Not more for me, just more. I believe that is what Im called to do, its how I can bring glory to God. By asking the right question, uncovering one more stone in his world, getting to know that one more thing about him is how I intend to bring glory to God.
