As I was thinking back over the lives of children, there is one point in their life where their ability to annoy adults is at it's peak. It's that inquisitive stage where they are constantly asking questions. They are trying so hard to understand the world around them that they harass us asking "why" in response to every answer we can give. And you really can't get mad at them because you know that their heart is longing for answers and their motives pure. I think in our faith life we need to be better at returning to that inquisitive stage and more frequently ask "why" sincerely looking for answers.

In scripture, we have a vision of the Pharisees asking Jesus lots of questions. The difference between them and the child is that while the child sincerely wants an answer, the Pharisees are asking questions simply to find evidence that they can use to rationalize their stance against Jesus. Today, I see many people who ask questions who's motives are more similar to the Pharisees than the child. They ask for the purpose of exploiting someone else or getting the dirt on a situation so they can bend the information to their own advantage. 

As we grow in faith, we will be provoked to ask many questions. But, we need to follow the example of the little child and do so earnestly seeking the truth, not trying to drudge up support for what we already think is right. My prayer for you is that you ask the questions and sincerely seek the truth.