Have you ever considered the “what” and “why” factors? Simply put, the “what” is the action; the “why” is the reason. In life, we do a lot of “what” things. We go to work, buy new cars and trucks, go to college, and get married. It isn’t difficult to see the “what,” but do we ever look at the “why”? I’ve realized that we can do a lot of “what” without understanding “why.” I’ve also realized that we’re often taught from a very early age “what” to do without ever having the “why” explained. Take church and God, for example. Many have been taught that it’s right to go to church and to love God, but how many understand “why”?

A legalist follows the letter of the law. In Christian circles, we’re taught to attend church, give money, pray, thank God, and follow rules about dress and conduct. These practices are the “what,” and focusing on them can lead to legalism. I’ve known people who knew the “what” and readily told others to do the same. The implication was that doing the “what” well enough made you acceptable. Sadly, we can become so skilled at doing the “what” that we forget “why” we began.

To help understand this, there’s a song sung in Christian churches that says, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.” Facing tomorrow is the “what.” We all must do that because tomorrow is coming. But “why” can we face it? The “why” is that He lives. That becomes my hope and assurance, enabling me to walk through tomorrow. 

As Christians, we can all go through life doing a lot of “what.” We can go to Church and do all the right things yet miss the real meaning of “why.” If we don’t understand the “why,” the “what” means nothing. Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Think about it.