John 1: 6-13 (NASB) “There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light but he came to testify about the Light. There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
If this was the only Scripture we ever had, it would be enough to enlighten and enrich us all! Christ came as a light to light our way to God the Father. We did not know Him and those who guessed at who He might be refused Him. But to the few who received Him with gladness, He gave them the right to become children of God. How marvelous!
When I was a teenager we didn’t have personal computers or 5G phones. We still read books and walked to school. Maybe a more innocent time, maybe not. But whatever the times may be, we need the presence of God with us. Back then it was a time for spiritual revolution. And that kind of revolution was against what little the Church was offering. People were looking for the deep meaning of their lives and the churches did not have the answer. It seems the same today!
We asked questions:
What is the meaning of life?
Why am I here?
Do I have a purpose?
Not really radical views or questions, but necessary ones for us all to ask. Maybe there are more distractions today. Maybe we are running at such a fast pace that we cannot mentally slow down enough to think. Look at how quickly answers to anything can be found on the internet. How to fly fish. How to can pickles. How to crochet a scarf. How to smoke a brisket. Anything and everything is immediately available. But what about God? Can God be instantly found at the touch of a finger to the computer?
That my friends is an answer that no one really understands. Obviously because God is so much bigger than the internet. He cannot be reduced to simplicity. Someone that complex is only found by personal searching of the heart. One of our great problems as human beings is looking for answers to come in a moment of time. But as to God, we must question and seek. And that process of seeking comes from a hungry heart that longs for more than what it has. That is what we did at the Catacombs in the early 70’s.
The Catacombs was a little oasis of thought just off the downtown square in Morristown, NJ. It was in a basement (hence the name catacombs). There were some of the stalest donuts and worst coffee you ever tasted available for all. But it was a place where those seeking something more and those who had found something more could meet. There was one and only one topic of conversation. Jesus Christ.
Honest questions were freely asked and honest answers were freely given. Nobody pretended to be an authority on God. No one faked being spiritual. And no one asked any dumb questions. We all wanted more than what the establishments of state and church were offering. Those asking wanted truth and those answering were hoping to help. The Catacombs was a beautiful place and time and I miss it.
“Every new century and every new generation should bring with it the question; Why am I here?”
In today’s world, we need this honesty to return. The honesty of truly searching for ultimate truth and the ability to discover that truth. People need something more than a new I-phone or pair of Nike shoes. Those are just things which bring only temporary satisfaction to a hungry or hurting soul. Every new century and every new generation should bring with it the question; Why am I here?
Jesus came to earth to open our eyes and hearts to the answer to that question. That answer has remained the same throughout the history of mankind. God made each one of us in His image for the one purpose of having a wonderful and meaningful relationship with Him. We cannot blame anyone other than ourselves if we refuse that relationship. It’s not our parents fault. It’s not a church’s fault. And we cannot criticize the government over it. The desire to find God must come from within each of us individually. Again, the question should not be, Does God exist? But Why am I here? And the answer to that is the beginning to a beautiful new life.
Written in the Bible are the direct words of God, “Seek Me and you will find Me.” This is a promise from Him! Sadly, some of us do not care about this at all. We just want to take all we can grab while we are here. But that will never satisfy! You see, we were made in such a way that only the completion of a real relationship with God will ever truly please us. We are restless without Him. We are lonely without Him. We are doomed to wander empty streets looking for answers we cannot find.
We must turn and look to Jesus Christ, the Light for all mankind. There is only one answer and only one way to peace, Jesus Christ! Back in the day of the Catacombs, we who believed knew that beyond question. And we were able to be clear about how others could find freedom in Him. It just seems a little mundane today. Are we offering the vital and vibrant answers people need today? Or are we only trying to grow our group?
You who believe, turn all your attention on the Light, Jesus Christ! And you who are questioning, seek out Jesus Christ!
What say you?
This series of blog posts titled, “Pondering Hope”, are written by Craig Stevens. If you are interested in reading more from him you can find his blog at ponderinghope.com.