for better answers we need to ask better questions

​A year ago, I was sitting on an interview panel at work. We were interviewing for an open position on our team. It was one of those interviews we had to do. We already knew who we wanted to hire - it was someone who'd done this job on our team before - but policies required us to interview several people.

One of the candidates we interviewed who was NOT the chosen one impressed me. And it wasn't her answers to the interview questions that impressed me - it was the questions she asked us when our questions were all over.

She asked the panel what we liked most about working with each other on our team.

She asked what the most rewarding experience each of us had had in our roles.

She asked how we incorporated certain understandings of behavioral health in to the work we do.

As I've grown older and wiser, the questions people ask impress me far more than the answers they give. Having great answers in life is a great place to get stuck; we can begin to believe we know all we need to know. Asking the right questions - that's always a key to continually getting to a better place.

That's why after that interview, I reached out and asked this young lady to interview for a job I had open working for me. And at least once a week now, often more frequently, she asks questions that make me better at giving the community better answers.

In his sermon yesterday, Steven Furtick suggested that if we want more meaningful answers in life we should ask better questions.

I've learned this one with my boys. If I ask Ian, how was school today, he will give me a one word answer: "school." Basically saying, if you've seen one day of school you've seen them all. Me asking him that question thinking I'm going to get a better answer is not wise on my part.

But if I ask Ian, what was the nicest thing you did for someone at school today - I'm more likely to get a more meaningful answer.

If I ask Elliott, was was the biggest challenge you had at school today - I'm more likely to get a more meaningful answer.

You know, I've been asking God a lot of the wrong questions lately.

God, why am I going through this?

God, when are you going to deliver the answer I'm asking you for?

Those are desert questions. They come with dead end answers.

A better question for me to ask: God, every time I've asked 'why' in my life you've led me to an answer better than I could have ever imagined. Where are you leading me God? What do I need to do to help us get there?

A better question for me to ask: God, every time I've asked when in my life, you've shown me your calendar works a lot better than mine. God, what do I need to be doing to have myself prepared for the day you've marked on your calendar to show me the miracle you have planned for my life?

It's Monday. Think about the questions you are asking yourself and others and maybe even God this week.

Ask questions that are curious and hopeful about tomorrow, and not questions that leave you stuck in the past. Ask questions that ponder the possibility of tomorrow, not questions that rehash the challenges of today.

We all have better answers in front of us; I think they start with better questions.