“But why?”

My kids often ask me this question after I’ve given them an instruction. Typically, an instruction they don’t love to hear.

Instructions like:

Eat your vegetables.

Pick up your room.

Go to sleep.

You’ve said it before. What’s the most natural answer to the question, But why?

“Because I said so.”

This is the answer I heard as a kid and tend to give my own children. When really, what I mean is, “Because I love you.”

Because I love you, eat the vegetables that have vitamins and nutrients your body needs.

Because I love you, pick up your room and learn how to be a good steward of the things God has given us.

Because I love you, go to sleep and enjoy the rest that your mind and body need to thrive. 

As I watch my children grow frustrated at certain instructions, I realize I do the same with the Lord. I tend to misunderstand His instructions just as my children misunderstand mine. I tend to view His commands as limiting or burdensome rather than a guide to help me grow and thrive.

As I watch my children grow frustrated at certain instructions, I realize I do the same with the Lord.

Do you ever find yourself in this boat with me? Do you find yourself falling into a habit of viewing God’s Word as a book filled with instructions you must follow just because He said so? Especially if the instruction is one that sounds difficult to obey?

While it’s important for my children to learn to not whine, asking, But why? to every instruction I give, I think it’s okay to humbly ask this of God.

When it comes to the instructions God gives us, we aren’t guaranteed an answer—and God certainly doesn’t owe us an explanation—but in His kindness He often gives us one. If we notice that every instruction God gives us in Scripture reveals His character, we begin to see that when we ask, “But why?,” the answer is always, “Because I love you.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” (NIV)

At first glance, this instruction may not feel difficult. Until the day that it does.

Until we’re so caught up in our busy schedules, lost in the chaos of balancing family and work, house projects and rest. Until Saturday night rolls around and we’ve had one or more of the following thoughts:

“It’s been such a busy week, it would be nice to sleep in.”

“No one reached out when we missed church last week. Do they even care? Does it even matter if we show up or not?”

“We could just watch the service online.”

“We could slip in the back, go to worship, and try a small group another time.”

“Everyone understands…The kids have games, our grandkids are visiting, we should really visit your parents.”

Without meaning to, it’s been weeks or even months since we’ve met together with other believers and engaged in a conversation where we felt encouraged and supported. Let alone have the opportunity to encourage someone else.

As a pastor’s wife, I’ll confess to you that I have had these very thoughts myself. Sometimes I’ve often wondered why my husband couldn’t have chosen a different career path so that I could stay home on a Sunday morning. Whether it’s relational fatigue, a crowded schedule, or lingering wounds from past church hurts, the enemy will magnify the reason in our minds in an effort to keep us away from our Kingdom family.

So when God tells us we need to show up and meet together regularly, we find ourselves asking, “But why?” Why does it matter if we don’t show up? Why would God care if we sit this one out?

And the answer is that God loves us. God knows we have a very real enemy who is after the hearts and minds of His children.

The enemy wants to isolate us. He knows that when you and I are alone, it is easier to discourage us in our pursuit of the Lord and make sin more appealing. He can more easily deceive us from the truth, make our faith seem futile, and make following Jesus sound too difficult. When we’re alone, He can whisper lies that we are unloved, unnecessary, and unwanted without anyone disputing him.

God wants us to be a part of a family because He loves us. He wants you and me to feel valued, loved and needed in His Kingdom.

But God wants us to be a part of a family because He loves us. He wants you and me to feel valued, loved and needed in His Kingdom. God knows that with others nearby we can find strength to persevere. He wants us to share each other’s burdens and be reminded of the hope we have in Jesus when life feels overwhelming. When we meet with other believers, we’ll be encouraged to hold fast to the Truth and be motivated by the faith of others. We’ll be reminded of God’s goodness and faithfulness. And we’ll have the opportunity to remind others of the nearness and love of God.You have a purpose in God’s family. You are needed in the local body of Christ and in the greater Kingdom of the Lord. Don’t give up when distractions are rampant and relational fatigue sets in. God will reward you for your faithfulness and your obedience. Even when (or maybe especially when) you feel weary and burdened, don’t give up meeting with others who can encourage you and spur you on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). Let’s remind one another to trust and obey God’s good instructions for us—it’s always worth it!