It's For That Very Reason You Are

I love it when God shows himself. It doesn't matter how, but the fact that he takes the time to remind me about Him makes me freakishly happy. So, I've been reading Velvet Elvis, but Rob Bell. Awesome man. Awesome readings. But one of the things that struck out to me was when Bell talked about Moses. Moses was constantly arguing with God about choosing someone better.

Exodus 4:10

"But Moses pleaded with the Lord, "O Lord, I'm just not a good speaker, I never have been, and I'm not now, even after you have spoken to me. I'm clumsy with words." 

Basically, Moses stuttered. A lot of leaders in the church challenge their congregation with this classic bible story (among others) by saying that God doesn't care about your physical/mental disabilities; he just wants to use you. And while that is true, Bell pointed out something that I never thought about.

"Moses tries for two chapters to convince God that he has picked the wrong man, and God seems all the more convinced with each question that he has picked the right man." Whoa. When I read it I had to stop and seriously think about it. Bell is talking about questioning in this section. He names several other instances in the bible where people have questioned God. Questioning God isn't wrong, it isn't a sin. Heck, Bell even brings up Jesus on the cross. Jesus didn't die with acceptance. He died with a question "My God, My God why have you forsaken me?" He didn't die saying "sure God, I'll die for you!" He died asking God. Pleading with God. Isn't that what we're supposed to do?

Bells point is "central to the Christian experience is the art of questioning God. Not belligerent, arrogant questions that have no respect for our maker, but naked, honest, vulnerable, raw questions, arising out of the awe that comes from engaging the living God."

Even after that thought processes, and wrestling through what Bell was saying,  I forgot about this until last night. 

Last night I was watching The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian with my brother. God was showing my things left and right about the movie. But the main thing that I was reminded of was this conversation: 

Aslan: Rise Kings and Queens of Narnia [everybody but Prince Caspian rises]. All of you.

Prince Caspian: I do not think I am ready.

Aslan: It is for that very reason I know you are.

As soon as watching that scene, I instantly thought of what Rob Bell was thinking. Questioning God (or in this case, Aslan) is about humbling yourself. It's about saying, "God, I don't think I'm ready for this, are you sure? If you're sure, then I'm in." It's not about asking stupid, ignorant questions.

It's about being Moses, Jesus, and Prince Caspian. "Moses pleaded with the Lord," "My God, my God why have you forsaken me?" "I do not think I am ready."

It's for that very reason you are.