It’s Not What, It’s Why

It’s Not What, It’s Why August 2, 2016

John C O'Keefe - use as you desire
John C O’Keefe – use as you desire

In a world where we seek to get our way, we focus on the what, and neglect the why. We are taught to see the world based on who, what, when, where, and finally why – why is the last question we ask; I think it should be the first question we ask. When we ask why we land on the foundation of everything we do, or desire to do. Without the why, the who, the what, the when, and the where have no meaning, no prospective, no focus. It is the why that gives focus.

This is why I get a kick out of people who ask ‘What would Jesus do?’ It seems to be an empty question with no, or very little, meaning. Meaning, focus, is only found when we completely understand why Jesus would do, or did, anything. Knowing what is impossible until we know the why. Why is always a better question then what.

When we ask the question, What would Jesus do? we create a false narrative based on what we perceive Jesus would not do. We create this false narrative based on how we see the world, not on what we think Jesus would actually do, while claiming this is what Jesus would do. Which to me, seems more in line with finding an excuse not to do anything. But, when we start with the why our views shift. It’s more than asking ‘What Would Jesus Do?’ it’s knowing why Jesus would do it in the first place.

When we ask why, why would Jesus do anything, we draw a circle around Love. The reason Jesus did anything centers on love. Love is the basic, core reality of everything. Claiming you would do what Jesus did, without knowing the why [love] you are fooling yourself. Because without love, you can never truly know what Jesus would do. Love focuses us in many ways…


Browse Our Archives