“But, why?”

Have you ever been in a conversation with a child who is learning all about the world that they find themselves living in? They are filled with wonder and are incredibly curious. This leads to a lot of questions. But, mostly, it leads to one question in particular that is constantly repeated.

“Why?”

“Why is the sky blue? Why can’t I touch the hot stove? Why do I have to wear pants when I’m out in public? Why is your favorite color blue but mine is red?”

Eventually you get to a point where you are either answering, “I don’t know,” or “Because I said so!!”

Hopefully this made you chuckle and nod in familiarity. We’ve all been apart of these circling conversations with kids and can’t help but get a little exasperated with their incessant questioning and lack of satisfaction with the answers that are given. But, I don’t think that as adults (and believers) we’re much different.

I’ve chosen to read Proverbs for the month of June. I’ve got some things in my life that I desperately want to navigate with wisdom, so I felt that this was a great way to set myself up to do that. On day four, these verses snagged my attention:

“…Your heart must hold on to my words. Keep my commands and live. Get wisdom, get understanding; don’t forget or turn away from the words of my mouth. Don’t abandon wisdom and she will watch over you; love her, and she will guard you. Wisdom is supreme – so get wisdom. And whatever else you get, get understanding.” Proverbs 4:4-7 HCSB (emphasis mine)

These were Kind David’s words to his son Solomon – who later becomes king and is known as the wisest man in the Bible. Something struck me about the way that he repeats himself in such a short amount of verses. Why do we need to “get understanding,” when we’re explicitly told that “wisdom is supreme?” Isn’t having wisdom enough? Why can’t I just have wisdom without understanding?

Personally, I think that wisdom without understanding is merely head knowledge. It never really moves beyond that. We know it, but we don’t know it. There is a definitely a difference between the two things. Understanding helps to move things from an intellectual level in our minds to a spiritual level in our hearts.

When we don’t understand why something is wise, then we are less likely to follow it, to put it into practice.

I think of those kiddos who are being taught about things that will harm them. You tell them not to do something and they always ask that age-old question, “Why?” Sometimes, the obedience is more important than the understanding in that moment. But, it’s always important to come back to that question later.

“Why?”

Because I’m protecting you from something that will hurt. Because this will cause you pain and I don’t want you to suffer. Because I love you and want nothing but the best for you. When explanations are given, it provides insight. Insight helps give context for a rule or boundary, which produces a greater respect for them.

Can’t you just hear God saying these things to you when you come to Him with the incessant “why?” It makes me smile to imagine it because He is so incredibly patient and tender with us.

Wisdom shows us the boundaries, but understanding tells us why they are important. Sometimes, the answer is, “Because I said so,” and He wants our quick obedience first. But, He is always gracious in showing us the “why” later on if we are willing to wait for His answer.

All of it requires faith in His goodness. All of it requires trust in His power and control.

So, the next time you’re explaining something to a child and they hit you with that terrible but wonderful question, “But why,” I hope that you smile at the sweet reminder that the Lord already knows the answer.