I want to be as constantly stupid as the disciples. Or rather, to ask the kind of stupid questions the disciples ask Jesus.
A trademark of my writing – especially in my books – is to contradict myself. I embrace the contradiction because we need to evaluate, ponder, and understand the wholeness of an issue. Besides, it makes people think.
So this post is going to contradict one of the chapters in my book Salvaged. In chapter 10, Questioning Captain Satellite, I talk about the power of asking good questions. The line, “The best leaders ask the best questions at the best times” sums up the chapter (though the fun story about 8-year old me is worth reading).
I believe that bit of writing. But I’m also drawn to the power of stupid questions. This comes up often if you read about the disciples of Jesus. They were constantly asking stupid questions. Okay, so nobody likes the word stupid. Let’s call them clueless questions. Flawed questions. Delusional questions.
Here’s an example. There’s a story in Matthew 18 about the disciples asking Jesus who was greatest among them. Uninformed question. Definitely on the wrong track. Delusional.
But … that stupid question opens the door for a message that has challenged us – and changed our perspective on leadership – for 2000 years.
“Whoever takes the lowly position … is the greatest.”
What an answer!
It was a stupid question. But it unlocked a deeper understanding into leadership, servanthood, and privilege. I can only hope my stupid questions unlock such wisdom.
So don’t forget: there is power in stupid questions.
Photo by RODNAE Productions