(This is the seventh post in a series about creativity.)
“How do I create something out of nothing? I think it is by questioning.” – Amy Tan
Questions create. When your mind gets stumped by a problem, questions suggest possibilities and help you envision solutions, even miracles.
The gospels point out that questions preceded the feeding of the 5000. According to John, Jesus asked Philip where they could purchase an adequate supply of bread for the crowd (John 6:5-6). Before he replied, Andrew wondered aloud how fives loaves and two fish could satisfy so many people (John 6:8-9).
Perhaps the rest of the disciples missed that conversation, but they saw the thousands amassing. Mark’s gospel reports the apostles asking if Jesus intended for them to spend half a year’s salary to get enough food for the crowd (Mark 6:37). Christ responded by inquiring many loaves they could scrounge up (Mark 6:38).
Maybe not all questions create; these produced no solution, nothing miraculous. Instead, they just clarified the scope of the difficulties.
Did these questions waste time? Were they foolish? People fear asking foolish questions because they’re afraid of looking silly. But according to educator Dr. Jim Force, “dumb questions, the kind children ask but most adults know better than to ask, are born out of a desire to understand, out of curiosity not expectation. They stem from our imagination and are designed to engage us in thought. Dumb questions are simple questions that probe the obvious, and simultaneously challenge and direct our thinking.”
Maybe Jesus and the disciples were on the right track. Their questions attended to the obvious, in the hope of finding an answer.
Force explains further that “dumb questions are not accusatory or argumentative statements in disguise. Nor are they formulated with preconceived answers in mind. Rather, they are probing yet open. Used effectively, dumb questions lead to a deeper sense of reality, truth or purpose. They expand our capacity to see more clearly and inspire us to explore possibilities we would otherwise ignore. Above all they are interesting enough to encourage finding an answer.”
I detect a bit of exasperation in the words of the disciples. Tired, worried, or panicked, they may have been incredulous about why Jesus was letting the situation get out of hand.
What was Christ’s aim? He wanted to foster creativity in His disciples. Force believes that “our capacity to ask creative questions is neither a natural talent nor an in-born trait. It is a learned competency based on motivation, know-how and experience. Creative questioning is not an easy discipline to master. As a practice, it requires us to have a sense of adventure, to take risks, and to push into the unknown. Creative questioning necessitates a willingness to think beyond the limits of our assumptions.”
Did the disciples realize that Jesus was training them in the ways of creative faith? I doubt it! Were they open to such discipline at that time? Probably not, but it’s what they needed.
In the words of the poet E. E. Cummings, “Always the beautiful answer who asks a more beautiful question.” The miracle of multiplied loaves and fishes captivated; how could mere questions exceed that?
God judges things differently. He guages your life by another standard. Miracles are easy for the Lord; but He delights in the formation of your soul.
So dare to ask Jesus questions, even dumb ones. They’re beautiful to Him and you’ll love His answers!
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