Today I skipped to the back of the book (yes I'm one of those who read back to front). Chapter 10 asks a great question: What are you looking for?
The question comes from John 1:35-38 which reads:
The next day John was there again with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God." The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, "What are you looking for?"The author indicates the above text in Greek is better translated as "What you looking for in LIFE?"
If someone were to ask you this question, what would be your response? Have you given much thought to this question?
Too often the answer depends on the events of the day, what is pressing and demanding of attention. How often do you find yourself "doing the immediate and never doing the important."
We all have a Rule of life. It is the everyday routine we follow, our habits that we have to live our daily life. Too often our lives are about "Task Management." Modern day life leads us to achieve accomplishment, to achieve completion of our required work, and "strive for success and recognition". We live our life according to a Rule that is a "chosen daily pattern of life and is arranged so that there are particular moments in the day when certain things are done."
The big question to ask is: Do you feel fulfilled? Is your life empty and rushed? Do you yearn for a better way to life?
As a Christian, we have a way to reach fullness in life. A way "to lift us up beyond the limitations of our own desires into the bigger picture - to love God first, and to love our neighbor as self". Love flows from this action. The Rule of Benedict says "see how the Lord in his love shows us the way of life".
So back to the original question. What are you looking for in life? Once answered, you and I can take steps "to make what's important move from dream to reality".
Take this moment to think and find the answer in your heart to this question. My goal is to do the same. Leave your comments, I will leave mine in this blog. Together lets being the work to design a new rule of life to begin living a fulfilled, Christ centered life.
HI David,
ReplyDeleteI really appreciated this post. "What are you looking for" is a wonderful question that otherwise would have gone unconsidered. Sure, I have hear it; asked myself; asked others, but until I read your insight - never really listened to the question at all.
I often look to the immediate and that's when life gets hectic. I feel as though nothing is going my way and everything other than my goal is adding to my stress. It's only when I look at the real reason I do the things I do, make the choices I make that I can find peace. Ultimately, making a difference in people's lives - for the better - giving them the tools to find their own peace...that's what I am looking for in life. All the other stuff are just steps along the journey toward that fulfillment.
Thanks for reminding me to consider the larger picture.