Asking the hard questions

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Politicians from all sides like to ask a version of this question: "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?"

It is not clear which politician first asked that question, but it has become more common, and it does make an impact in many cases. It is a question of evaluation: How are things going? How have things gone lately? Is there improvement?

The answers seem easy, but they are usually more complicated than politicians would have us believe. If we're honest, the answers go something like this: I am better off in some ways, but in other ways, there are struggles and disappointments. This is the nature of things.

Maybe the main point of those kinds of questions is, "Am I seeing a noticeable, positive difference?"

If we move the question out of the political realm and allow ourselves the luxury of giving complicated answers instead of simple ones (since life is more complicated than politics), then maybe we have a good start for measuring our spiritual growth. The founder of Methodism, John Wesley, had lists of questions back in the 18th century that he urged small groups of believers to ask one another consistently to help keep track of spiritual growth. One of the questions was along the lines of: Are you as close to God today as you can be?

That is a tough one sometimes. The complicated answer for many of us will go something like this: In some ways, yes, as far as I know; in other ways, there are some struggles and even obstacles in the way.

Being honest with ourselves, others and God about answers to our spiritual health is the best way to ensure we are paying attention to God's leading as we navigate spiritual health and well-being in the long run. The Bible promises that God will be faithful to us and give us wisdom and guidance as needed out of love and grace (see James 1:5, for instance). It is our job to ask the questions and to allow others (even God!) to ask the hard questions of us so that life, growth and health will be the result throughout our lives.