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Writer's pictureNoelle LeBlanc

The Important Questions


As a young girl, I loved watching old episodes of I Dream of Jeannie.


For some of my readers, you immediately know the comedy in which I am referring.. for others this is way before your time.


So, for the unfamiliar-- I Dream of Jeannie was a television sitcom that began in 1965 and featured a beautiful blonde genie and her handsome, American astronaut- a/k/a “master.” Barbara Eden starred as the Persian genie, who released from her bottle falls madly in love with her new “master” Captain Tony Nelson. It was a romantic comedy of sorts, with Jeannie trying to use her "genie powers" to please her master and her efforts backfiring in some comic way.



Despite some of the desperate romantic tones of the series, I adored the show because I loved the idea of the “genie in the bottle.” The idea of a being that could grant wishes and transform lives.


Who wouldn’t like to find a genie that could solve all their problems and grant their heart’s desires?


Although, as much as I like the concept, I would have a very difficult time answering what I want for my three wishes.


You see, I have a tendency to not be able to answer the really important questions – especially, life-altering ones.


In fact, I've yet to truly answer the “what do you want to be when you grow up” question!



I’ve lived half my life already and I’m not confident that I’ve accomplished much or found my destined calling.


Admittedly, I tend to hover in “search mode.”


Always seeking, searching, wishing, and hoping for some definitive purpose.


I’ve tried all sorts of things- military, school, work, home-based sales, travel rentals, missionary trips, and various volunteer roles.


Yet, I still feel like I haven't found the “right fit”- that there has to be something more that I should be doing or accomplishing!


Am I the only one that feels this way?


Recently, I came across the Biblical encounter between Jesus and his first two disciples found in John 1:35-37:


"The next day John (the Baptist) was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”


When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”"


“What do you want?”


The very first words that Jesus ever spoke to his very first disciples.


Why do you think Jesus asked this particular question?


Could it be that Jesus wanted to challenge them to contemplate what they really wanted from following Him? What they really wanted out of life?


I believe that God asks this same question of each of us today- “What do you want?”


What do you want out of this life?


What do you want to accomplish?


What do you want to “be?”


It has taken me some time to answer this question. But, my response is to simply fulfill God’s divine purpose for my life. To do and be whatever HE WANTS!


So, I will continue to seek (and not view it as a bad thing), I will continue to knock and I will continue to believe that God has a plan for my life and that in the right time it will be revealed.

I choose to embrace the soul searching process- to not only answer the hard question on whether I will be active in my walk with Him or passive; but to also ask questions of Him and believe He will respond!


Without hesitation.


The best part in all this.....


We don’t need a genie in a bottle to transform our lives. God is more than willing, He is more than capable and his generosity has no limit!


Jesus truly cares about your answer!


There is power and intimacy in the ask and answer!

Lord, you look down from heaven and see all of mankind, you watch over all that lives, forming our hearts and considering everything that we do. Father, I pray that you would give us clarity in our divine purpose and give us courage to ask and answer the difficult questions in life. May we always look to you for purpose and provision.



“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” –Jeremiah 29:11

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