As long as we are on this earth, we will always have questions for Jesus. As mere human beings, our minds aren’t able to grasp many concepts about the Creator of the universe. The Bible provides numerous answers, but it doesn’t cover everything, and our natural human curiosity finds the holes.
Freshman students in an English class at Union College were asked to journal about a question they’d ask God if given the opportunity. Many students wrote that they would ask God about a serious, personal concept they’ve struggled with. Some would ask questions many of us have pondered from time to time. Others decided to take this opportunity to be light-hearted. Here are some of the questions college students wish they could ask God.
Why are You merciful to us?
For us as humans, we can show mercy to others based on the fact that we have been shown mercy by God and other human beings. God, on the other hand, has never needed mercy, so why is He so willing to give it?
What do You want me to do as a life career?
I wish God would just tell me and let me know so I can do it.
What was my mom’s side of the family like?
My mom’s extended and nuclear family were all killed during the genocide in Rwanda in 1994. Between her 14 siblings, her father, her uncles and aunties, her cousins, and her grandparents, only she and her brother survived. I have always questioned what our lives would have looked like with these people in them. I always wondered about my grandparents, uncles and aunties, and cousins. Were they funny, kind, good people? Would they have loved to meet me and my siblings? I look forward to the day I will get to ask God all those questions.
How many different colors are there?
I assume there is an infinite amount of color, but I feel like it comes to an end.
How can You love humans as easily as You do?
People disrespect God and each other, speak His name in vain, and commit evil acts against one another. There’s so much hate in the human heart, but God still loves us all, bad or good. I want to know how He can love those who hate Him.
What’s the best type of cheese?
What did my family do to deserve having a child – my brother – who is terminally ill?
This is hurting me and my family. We can’t do normal things like other families, like go mini golfing or go to an amusement park, because my brother can’t stand anymore. He is now bound to a power wheelchair. It’s very hard on my family and it hurts every single day.
Why did You create a world that You knew would be imperfect?
I do not understand why God would go through the struggle of creating something that was going to be full of evil.
Why is Satan still alive?
I wonder why God did not just defeat Satan in battle. I know He obviously could have, so I want to know why He is letting him live.
What do I look like through Your eyes?
I’ve spent a lot of time trying to see what I look like through the eyes of the people I love – my friends, my family, my relationships. I think that if I was able to see myself through His eyes, then I wouldn’t feel so insecure. I would see my potential and have so much more love for myself. I would see my worth so much differently because He loves me more than I could ever love myself. That could be looked at as sad, but I think it’s beautiful that He loves us that much.
Are there dinosaurs in heaven?
I’ve always wondered if the extinct animals live on in heaven.
Why is there so much sickness in our world?
I want to ask God this question because my mom had kidney cancer four years ago and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever seen her go through. It isn’t fair how much suffering there is in this world.
Why did You create mosquitoes to be as annoying as they are?
I get that they serve a purpose, but wow, they are a nuisance. I don’t like it one bit. And it’s like they only go for me. Am I cursed?
Why do good people die?
I’ve been dealing with this a lot recently. My cousin died in his sleep on the 17th. It hit me very hard because he was so nice, he was the life of the party, and he was the friendliest guy you would ever know. Honestly, I don’t understand this. Why do the good people seem to go first? It doesn’t make sense. It’s hard to deal with when I don’t understand why.
Can You explain Your existence?
I want to understand how God has always been and will always be. Concepts like eternity and time have always interested and frightened me, so I would love to see how God would explain it.
How is it possible that I am where I am today?
I was adopted from Guatemala and brought here to America when I was six. Looking back, I don’t know how it was possible to end up with the amazing parents I have today. I know God blesses people and directs their paths, but I struggle with the question, “Why me?”
What would my life have looked like if I followed You completely?
I can try my hardest to follow God, but sometimes I fall short and lose the way. I just want to know what it’s like to be completely in awe and in love with Him.
Why is it so hard for us to seek You every day?
This is something I am currently struggling with. I want to spend time with God every morning, all through the day, and then at night before going to bed, but my desire is not strong enough. I often find myself saying, “Tonight, pray and read the Bible. Tomorrow morning, pray, read the Bible.” I just can’t seem to do this simple task to show God not just how much I love Him for what He has done for me, but also to show Him that I need Him every day. One thing is for sure, I will keep trying.
Why did You choose to communicate with us through the Bible?
It seems to me God could have chosen a clearer way to communicate His will to us. The Bible is so often misinterpreted to support things God never intended, and it is hard to determine the cultural context, what does and doesn’t still apply to us today, and what is poetic/metaphorical and what is literal. I would want to know what He really wanted us to know from the Bible, and why He chose to let His words be written through people.
Why is it taking so long for You to come back?
I just want to go to heaven now, please.
Although many of our questions remain unanswered now, the Bible promises us that someday we will be able to speak to Jesus face-to-face. We will be able to ask every question we’ve ever had and resolve any doubt that has ever crossed our minds.
Hannah Drewieck is a junior business administration and communication major from Stoughton, Wisconsin.
