Searching

Twenty years had passed quickly. It had seemed like just yesterday when Norma had graduated from high school, and now here she was walking into her twenty year high school reunion.

As she hesitantly entered the sea of people, Norma searched the room for a familiar face. All about the room there were groups of men and women huddled and talking together, many of the same cliques of her high school years appearing to still be active.

As the evening progressed, Norma could not help but notice that many of the former students which seemed so primed to a successful future, appeared to have not changed that much in character from high school. A former book worm who pretty much kept to her self, Norma was now pleased to accept her title of "social butterfly," a title which more so was representative of Norma's public work with charitable organizations, rather than her personality which was still somewhat reserved.

A late-bloomer in her teen years who was often mocked for her inability to keep up physically with her more mature peers, Norma was now fit, tall, and curvaceous. Crooked teeth which were at one time adorned with braces, now sparked across the room.

As the evening wore down, Norma sat to rest a bit at a distant table. Always the "thinker," Norma began to gaze in to the room and ponder the issue of "time." "Time has been good to me," Norma thought to herself. "Life has held its good moments and sad moments, yet through it all I have lived, learned, and hopefully, grown stronger."

Norma did not look like her former self, nor did she possess the same personality as in more youthful years. In fact, by the end of the night, Norma was voted as "most changed." In her brief acceptance speech, Norma spoke on never giving up on one's dreams and goals. "Twenty years ago, a supportive and wise relative told me to not worry about earthy success, which typically has to do with obtaining riches or fame, but to never stop searching for the most precious gems, which are internal, not external. And so, until this day, and most likely, until the day I die, I will always search to improve my inner essence," stated Norma as she continued. "Life is about living, and if we truly live, then we do not allow our self to stagnate in body, mind, or spirit."

Applause filled the room as Norma's speech touched the cores of all who heard her words.

In the Bible, we are told it is God's desire for us to search as fervently for wisdom and truth as we would for the riches of the world.

Philosophically speaking, this may sound noble, yet how many of us truly make it a real life application? Admittedly, the people I am least likely to take advice from are those who claim to already have all the answers, and who act as if they have no need to delve any deeper than the status quo. Keeping the status quo may be a comfortable and safe position, yet it is still not what our Lord calls us to do. As does a baby learn to first crawl, walk, then run, so too, are we called to search God and His truth to deeper levels of wisdom and understanding so that we may not remain as babes in Christ, but to grow and mature forever more. The day we stop searching and learning, is the day we become complacent; and it is this laziness or acceptance of the comfortable status quo where we are then prone to sickness, both in the physical, intellectual, and spiritual realms.

If you don't know God, I encourage you today to not neglect your spiritual hunger any more, but to search for the ultimate "soul food": Jesus Christ the Son of God.

If you are a Christian already, I would also encourage you to reevaluate, not only your walk with God, but your involvement in the body of Christ. Even in this area it is all to easy to fall in to a place of complacency, rather than gently pushing our spiritual boundaries to greater areas of positive growth.Remember, life is for the living!

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Contributed by Melanie Schurr (Copyright (c)2003 Melanie Schurr) Melanie Schurr is author of "Ecstatic Living Ecstatic Loving: How to have more peace and joy in marriage, and life in general by walking in harmony with God," and "Son Salutations: A refreshing collection of modern inspirations for those who seek God each day." For more information, visit her web page at www.angelfire.com/mi/melschurr