What are you looking for?

What are you looking for? This question prompts an endless number of responses. The answers vary from 'my car keys' to 'my wallet' to other questions like, 'where are you staying?' perhaps.

In my spiritual formation group at seminary our leader asked us to consider this question, "what are you looking for?" Having not given it much thought recently, I am unsure how to answer. The answers seem to vary according to circumstances. Last week I was looking for a break from school. Now that I am midway through that much needed, weeklong break from classes I am already looking for an improbable second week away from the every day rigor of life in divinity school. Looking back over the last semester and a half I could answer the question with something like, "I don't know," followed by, "What am I doing here anyway? Am I cut out for full time ministry?"

The question comes from the first chapter in the Gospel of John, when Jesus asks two disciples of John who are now following him, "what are you looking for?" Probably not knowing exactly how to answer, but at least curious enough to find out more about this man, Jesus, the two men answer, "Rabbi (or teacher), where are you staying?" Jesus doesn't tell them exactly where, but invites them on the journey with him saying, "come and see."

I am realizing more that even though I may not be able to articulate what I am looking for at the moment, I am responding to the invitation to 'come and see.' Maybe it's the mystery of the Gospel or the scandalous salvation that God offers us through Jesus or the search for truth or a combination of all the above. In any case, I possess the motivation (coming from somewhere or someOne perhaps) to make it through weeks when I have a midterm in Greek, a sermon due in Old Testament interpretation, and a paper to hand in for my other two classes, Church History and New Testament interpretation.

I submit that I am much like my youngest daughter, Carter (pictured above), who participated in her first 'Trick-or-Treating' occasion this past Halloween. I bet she didn't know exactly what she was looking for, but if she trusted and abided in her daddy, he would lead her down a path to something sweet.

Likewise, I am trusting in you, Father.