Why?

Guest post by Evan Curry

Recently, I’ve been asked to join the leadership team for a new church plant that will be happening in Bristol, PA. I’m excited about this venture. As of late, we have been struggling over the question, “Why?” Why are we doing this? What’s our purpose? Are we hoping to be the young, cool, hip group? Or are we hoping to reach the poor of Bristol? Or the families of Bristol? The question, Why?, gives us guidance and helps us understand what the next steps should be.

Late last night, after one of our meetings, when I got home, I snuck into my one year-old daughter Giselle’s room where she was sleeping. I gave her a kiss, and I thought about what I would say (even though she can’t form sentences yet) to her if she asked me, “Why? Why do we do these things, Daddy?” The thought reminded me of Deuteronomy 6 where Moses is giving the now exodus-ed Israel instruction. All of Deuteronomy 6 is wonderful, but I think the end is great—

In the future, when your children ask you, “What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the LORD our God has commanded you?” tell them: “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Before our eyes the LORD sent signs and wonders—great and terrible—on Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household. But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land that he promised on oath to our ancestors. The LORD commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the LORD our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. And if we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness (Deuteronomy 6:20-25 TNIV).

Perhaps, when we ask ourselves , Why?, we should remember this.

We are people who have been exodus-ed out of sin, from the devil’s household, and into the light of Christ. Jesus has given us hope. We are no longer in slavery, but we are free. When you or your church asks, Why?, and your children ask, Why?, remember your exodus. As the apostle Paul said, “Remember you were once slaves to sin so don’t act like you once did.” Our reason and answer for Why?, has been completely revamped, transformed, renewed by Jesus, and so all our answers and reasons for living should be shaped by this very fact.