From "So What?" to "So That. . . ?"

"So what?" A professor in medical school used to tell us there is just too much information in the world. He encouraged us to ask, "So what?" in order to sort through and grasp the relevant and useful information, letting go of the unimportant. Asking this question has been helpful to me throughout my life. However, I recently was challenged to ask a new question, "So that. . . ?"

A "so that. . . ?" question helps to bring clarity after a "so what?" question, moving me from intellectual inertia to action because I now recognize the purpose. The apostle Paul understood this. His writings are full of the words "so that. . . " For instance,

But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me SO THAT I might preach him among the Gentiles,. . . (Galatians 1:15-16 NIV)

It is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works SO THAT no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8 NIV)

It is he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, SO THAT the body of Christ may be built. (Ephesians 4:11-12 NIV) 

Will you join me this week in asking these two questions, hopefully moving us from intellectual stagnation to action?

Sharing the journey with you,