This is one of the fundamental Principles taught in the Dale Carnegie Sales Course. It’s the question that gives the conversation focus. It’s the question that must be satisfied.

What kind of questions are you chasing an answer for? I remember the lonely nights in college (1965-68), driving gravel roads thinking and talking to myself. I had no idea what I wanted to do. I changed my major each year. I believed I would soon be wading the rice paddies in Viet Nam. But the nagging question was, “What is my purpose?”

I was 21 when I went into the Air Force. Four years later I was back in college seeking a degree in Public Administration. Two and half years later I graduated and went to work in an organization supporting people with developmental disabilities. I still had no answer to my purpose…but He did.

By 1984 I was married, had 3 children, and I had followed what I believed was my purpose, to become very wealthy in the sales business. God had a different plan. It was this “Blessed failure” that brought me to my knees. It was His question that whispered to my heart that Monday morning, “Have you had enough or do you want some more of this?” My way had not worked!

When we open our Bible to John 3, the very learned & respected leader, Nicodemus came in the night seeking an answer to his question bearing on a need. The fascinating thing is he didn’t ask Jesus the question on his heart. He said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Now the cool part that had to have rocked him to the core. He discovered the power of Jesus to read his heart. Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” BAM! Know for certain, Jesus knows our heart. Jesus changes everything!

Nicodemus had more questions about how this could happen. We find the answer in John 1:9-13, “The true light (Jesus) that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

We are all God’s creation who He loves and cherishes. But God did something we don’t understand. He gave us a choice. To either love Him first or the world. This is the question bearing on the need. Who is first in your life. When we choose Him, “to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” There is no other way…no other name but Jesus. Jesus clearly said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

It was the night of September 20th in 1984 He gave me my purpose, HIM! Since then, it has been a journey. I have been on track, then wandered off track and He has “put me back” on track for His plan. His ways have been unique and sometimes painful, but He has always been there. He has used His Word to guide, teach comfort, correct and to draw closer to Him. My Bible Study Fellowship mentor, George Preiss, always said, “If you will get into God’s Word, God’s Word will get into you.” Pastor Rod Loy describes the Bible as the Guidebook For Living.

Are you struggling with your question? Isn’t it about time you went to the source of all creation? The world is a failing enterprise. As my mother would say, “you can keep trying to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, but it will never happen.”

Come to the only sources for, “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23) Jesus is waiting.

Only Jesus has “THE” answer!