2026.04.19 | When I Realized My Questions Weren’t Really About Answers

I’ve noticed something about myself. 

When life feels uncertain, I start asking God a lot of questions.

What should I do? What’s the right move? How do I fix this?

It feels spiritual. Like I’m bringing things to Him.

But this Sunday in Matthew 22, I started to wonder if my questions are really about something else. Because the people who questioned Jesus weren’t actually looking for answers. They were trying to trap Him.

And underneath their question about taxes was something deeper: Control.

Who’s in charge? Who has the power? Who can take it away?

That hit closer to home than I expected.

Because I don’t argue about denarius coins, but I do have my own version of those moments.

I check my bank account when money feels tight.

I feel anxious after reading the news.

I replay conversations, wondering if I messed something up.

I think about the future and try to plan every possible outcome.

And in all of it, I keep asking questions. But if I’m honest, I’m not just looking for guidance. I’m trying to stay in control.

Jesus’ answer is simple: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Handle what’s in front of you.

 Be responsible.

 Do what’s right.

But don’t give your heart to it.

That’s the part I miss.

Because I don’t just deal with the situation. I attach my peace to it.

I let it decide if I’m okay. And Jesus gently pulls that back. Your life is not held together by your control.  It’s held together by Him.

So this week, I’m trying something different.

Still doing what’s in front of me.

Still showing up, working, planning, thinking.

But paying attention to where my trust is actually going.

And when I feel that pull to control everything again,

 just coming back to something simple: Give to God what is God’s.

If this resonates with you, you can watch the full sermon from Hope Community on YouTube and let Jesus’ words sink a little deeper.