Why So Many Questions?

Have you ever considered the absolute necessity of questions? We ask for many reasons --- to get instructions, to get clarification on a statement, to make conversation, to conduct an interview, to expose a lie and get at the truth, to confirm intentions --- and much more.

Some people don't ask questions because they think that they will be regarded as stupid, that they should already know the answer. Others will often not ask, if they consider it to be prying or none of their business. Questions are not only a great source of information-gathering, but are required to start a conversation, or to keep it going.

To be sure there are times when silence is golden, when presence is more powerful than words, but asking questions is our way of showing that we care, that we are taking an active role in relating to those around us. Unlike a reporter, we don't have to come armed with specific questions, geared to a certain subject. Questions should flow as easily as conversation as we share each others' lives.

I've been told by some folks that it is difficult to ask questions. I think that may be because they are focusing on the questions themselves --- will they be dumb? will they be probing or intrusive? will they prompt questions in response, questions they can't answer?

The key is to focus on the person or conversation. How often do we ask, "How are you doing?" when we actually don't care how someone is doing? When someone comes in your "space" (or you invade theirs), one of two things should happen. If they say something, you may need to ask a question to understand what they are saying, or to get additional information on the subject. If they don't begin the conversation, then you can inquire as to how they are doing or feeling, what they have been doing, how their work is going, etc.. If they answer "fine," then the question should be more specific.

Responding to the answer is also important, because a string of successive questions can be intimidating. If the discussion turns to religion, philosophy or politics, then you should acknowledge the last statement and find something positive about it, even if you are needing to disagree with it. Questions are a great way to make sure that you don't misunderstand where a person is coming from.

You would be amazed at how well a conversation can go if you use it to increase your knowledge. When you do so, you begin to accumulate a growing subject matter for future encounters.

I believe that we have been put here to interact with our fellow humans. The success of our journey is predicated on our ability to not only get along, but to become one. Only then can we see ourselves as the true family of God.