In this reflective, mini devotion, I’m considering the six questions that were drilled into our heads in my first high school journalism class. Years later, I started drilling the same questions into my students’ heads: Who? Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?

Once we figured the answers to those six key questions, we’d put them in the first paragraph, a.k.a. the lead, to draw readers into the rest of the story.

Put the important stuff first. Add the quotes, the details, the extras later.

But it’s so easy to get stuck on the why.

Oh, some whys are simple. Why do I color my hair? (I cannot picture myself like my mother. Not quite yet.)

Other whys are impossible to answer. Why did the young mother die?

Asking Why More

Lately, I’ve been trying to ask why more often, especially when it comes to me, my thoughts, my actions. Why? I long to understand myself.

Most of the time, I’m rushing to live that lead paragraph. The Who-What-When-Where-How. Sometimes I don’t always get around to the Why.

You know the questions: why do I think the things I think? Why am I frustrated when I sit at the never-ending red light? Or why am I impatient in a long line at the grocery store? Why am I angry? Happy or sad? Why do I love this book? Hate that movie? Why must I write? And why can’t I write?

I long to understand what is often complex and incomprehensible about myself because then maybe, just maybe, I can understand what is complex and incomprehensible around me.

I may never fully comprehend the biggest whys. Sickness. Loss. Pain, suffering, death.

But along with Job, I can say one truth with confidence.

For I know that my Redeemer lives,
    and at the last he will stand upon the earth.

Job 19:25

In the face of the perplexing whys, I know that my Redeemer lives.

I’m curious. Do you ask the why questions about yourself? What does that look like for you?

Photo by Rachael Gorjestani on Unsplash

This mini devotional was written in response to the Five Minute Friday prompt word for the week. This is an awesome online community of Christian writers who encourage one another. Looking for more devotions and reflections on faith? Click here.