I can hear the probing question coming relentlessly from this seemingly harmless, cute, and curious little girl. Her persistent question comes like a large hammer pounding a nail over and over again, driving the interrogated person being questioned to the near brink of insanity. She goes by the name of Mindy, and if you were like me, growing up watching cartoons in the 90s, then you’ll remember her being featured on the afternoon cartoon show called “Animaniacs”. She was often accompanied by her dog Button who was always ready to play with her, but would end up painstakingly trying to save her life as she innocently and curiously played in places that were literally life threatening. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, then just Google it or look it up on YouTube; “Mindy & Button, Animaniacs Compilation.”

There you’ll see her questioning two construction workers on their dangerous construction site, and then two cavemen hammering a rock, and then two aliens playing chess, and on and on. But my favorite one is when she questions one of two bank robbers in the midst of trying to rob a bank with explosives. She looks straight at the man with an innocent smile and says, “What are you doing Mr. Man?” He replies, “What does it look like? We’re robbing the bank!” Then she goes right for the jugular and hits him with her favorite question; “Why?” He quickly responds, “Because we’re bank robbers.” Then she says, “Why?” To which he says, “Because that’s what bad guys do.” Unsatisfied with his response, she presses forward her interrogation with another, “Why?” Now frustrated, he blurts out, “Because maybe our mothers didn’t hug us when we were kids!” Seeing that she has defeated yet another interrogated grown up, she concludes with her usual, “Ok. I love you. Bye Bye!”

You see, what Mindy understood is that nothing gives you a swifter “gut check” for what you do then to ask the probing question “Why?” And in 2 Corinthians 5:12-15, the Apostle Paul feels pushed into a situation where he needs to give the church the “Why” behind his apostolic ministry. Paul is writing his second letter to a church in Greece called Corinth, which had a lot of problems. In his first letter he addresses each of their issues, reminds them of the Gospel and calls them to repentance. They have since received his letter and repented of their sins, so he’s now writing a second letter to celebrate their genuine repentance, yet also address a lingering problem. There have been some so-called “super apostles” that have infiltrated the church, carrying letters of commendation, charming everyone with their eloquent speeches and flashy appearance, yet having the explicit intent of undermining the apostolic ministry of Paul. So Paul feels put in the position to have to defend his ministry and express the why behind what he and his ministry associates do. Paul basically says that he and his associates don’t have to commend themselves again to the church, for what they do should give the church enough opportunity to boast about their ministry, especially in answer to those who are so impressed by the flashy appearance of the so-called “super apostles.” Doesn’t this sound familiar? He’s like, I may not have the private jet, the expensive flashy clothes and jewelry, the million dollar book deals and massive social media following, but you all know our hearts and have seen the Holy Spirit’s anointing on our ministry. Whatever our state of mind, we’re doing this for God and for you. But don’t get it twisted, we love serving you, however we don’t do this because we’re addicted to your approval! Paul then goes on to introduce the specific driving motivation, the core why for what he does. But before we get to that good stuff, I dare lay this same probing question before you. Why? Why do you do what you do… within the church, at home, on the job, at your school, in your community; your whole life?

What is the compelling why that drives your life? And I’m talking about a  compelling Why, because I’m defining a compelling Why as a sustainable one. The truth is everyone has a Why. Your why may be control, fear, addiction, sex, money, professional attainment or the approval of people. The question you need to ask is is it sustainable? What happens when your why, that thing or person, is gone? Well, if you are a follower of Jesus Messiah, or considering to be one, then I invite you to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, with an open heart, as we discover the answer together beginning in verse 14…

Stay tuned for Part Two!