Why?

I once heard that you shouldn't ask God, "Why?". That instead you should ask, "What?" The purveyor of this advice explained even if God told you why you wouldn't be satisfied so you should focus on what God wants you to do with your situation not why you're in your situation...Really? For some reason these words stuck with me. How many pieces of advice like this have I head through my years in Christian culture? Hundreds and hundreds, maybe thousands. Why did these stick? I remember being disappointed that God didn't want me to ask, "Why?" but figuring that was just part of learning to measure up to His standard. It turns out, though, that it was terrible advice and the standard is a smokescreen.

First of all, who decided we ought to put parameters on the way we talk to God? Ought I edit myself before I go to God? Making sure everything, down to my diction, is acceptable before I utter a syllable? I don't think that's what the author of this quote meant but it plays into a lie I have believed for far too long: there is a right way to talk to God. There isn't. There is simply talking to God and not talking to God. Jesus wants me to be the most free when I talk to Him. With my enemies I may measure my words, but with my Jesus? Trying to pray right makes me "tarry 'til I'm better and then never come at all." But talking to Jesus brings me relief and freedom.

Secondly, Jesus asked, "Why?" I heard a sermon once about mourning and lamentation. The pastor talked about how openly people in the Bible mourn and lament. Then he said what I've heard echoing in my mind for the two years since I heard it, "Jesus asked, 'Why?' ("My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?") and he knew why. I think you have room to ask, 'Why?'" I hope those words, that idea, that truth begins to weave it's way through your fear, your contempt, your anxiety, and all your "Whys?"