Searching for Myself

The apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians in chapter 2:
2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

God wants us to be encouraged - understanding who we are in Christ, realizing that He can completely fulfill us.  There are all sorts of opportunities to get off track as we search for satisfaction and contentment in this life.   Our true identity is in Christ, and when we recognize who we are in Him and walk in His ways, then we can experience His peace and His joy - true validation comes in our lives as we experience the true riches - the treasures of wisdom and knowledge that are found in God.


1st Timothy 6 contrasts the pursuit of the kingdom of God with the search for meaning and fulfillment in the temporal things of this world:
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

The search for meaning and fulfillment in life can take a number of different forms, but true meaning and a sense of purpose can only be found in Christ.   He is the one who can truly satisfy our souls; He brings peace and encouragement as we recognize that in Him, we can experience the assurance that we are loved by God and that He has placed value upon our lives - God, as our Creator, desires to express His nature through us as we unite our hearts with Christ.

1st Corinthians chapter 1 reinforces the concept of our identity in Jesus Christ:
5 For in him you have been enriched in every way--in all your speaking and in all your knowledge-- 6 because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Toronto Sun reports on a group of tourists who were travelling through Iceland on a tour bus and stopped near the volcanic Eldgja canyon Saturday afternoon, according to an Icelandic news organization mbl.is.

One of the women on the bus left to change her clothes and freshen up, and later her busmates thought she had gone missing.  About 50 people joined together to search the terrain by vehicles and on foot.  The coast guard was even getting a helicopter ready.

Turns out the woman had returned to the bus, but the other tourists had not recognized her.  The so-called "missing" woman didn't recognize description - of herself - and joined in the search.   It was called off at about 3 a.m., when it became clear the missing woman was, in fact, accounted for and searching for herself.

How embarrassing!   But, I think there's a principle here that we can connect to our spiritual lives.   I believe that we can find ourselves searching for what we already have - in Christ!    We look for our satisfaction and our validation in the things of this world, the approval of people, and the glory of status and power - but God has already said that we are valued and treasured by Him, He unconditionally loves and approves of us, and we don't have to look to status to reinforce our worth.   As new creatures in Christ, we have a new identity, and our search for meaning in this life ends when we allow Christ to have His way in us.   When we find that we have lost our way, He is the One who rescues us and sets our feet on a firm foundation.   So, if you're drifting today, searching for yourself, sort of speak, Jesus can help you discover true joy and fulfillment - He tells us to stop looking for satisfaction outside of His presence.   If you know Him, what you think you need you already have!