What is it you are looking for?
John 1:29 - 37
For the first month of this year, Monday Meditations has started by asking questions to help you reflect on the past year and also to look ahead into the new year. Last week continued in the same way by getting us to look at our approach to the year in a creative way. Today, we are going to continue the general theme by considering what we are “looking for” in the year ahead.
About 20 years ago, a co-worker and I had traveled to Vancouver to visit some media partners. On one sunny mid-week afternoon, after finishing a downtown appointment, we decided to walk back to the hotel and take in some of the scenery. We found ourselves walking eastward on Water Street in the Gastown area. Very scenic with lots happening.
After a few moments of walking we turned south and quickly found ourselves leaving the tourist area. We turned another corner and started heading back toward our original direction, but this time on Hastings St. Not being from this city, we were unaware that this area was abandoned and overrun by the homeless and wayward wanderers seeking shelter from the elements and escape from life. Coming from a business meeting, we were clearly over-dressed to be in this part of the city.
We had taken only 20 to 30 steps when one of the area locals interrupted our journey. He stepped out from the shadow of one of the doorways of a vacant building. He was dirty. He smelled of life on the street with no amenities. It seemed he had nothing with him. His first words to us was a question… “Hey, what are you guys looking for? Drugs? Girls?” My colleague and I were quite taken aback, and I responded that we were just out for a sight-seeing walk and are headed back to the hotel. At that moment, this seemingly homeless man reached behind him and pulled out a dirty wallet and opened it to show us his Vancouver Police badge. He then explained if we were to keep walking on Hastings we would likely get into trouble with the people in the area. He directed us to go back the way we came and avoid going any further in our current direction.
I have thought about that incident a few times over the years, especially a few years later when I had an office in Gastown. That general area has been refurbished and is now much safer. I am grateful for the unsolicited direction from the undercover officer that day as he likely saved us from a harsh incident.
I share that story to provide context to our thought today…
“What are you looking for as you journey into this new year?”
Can you clearly identify what you are seeking? Or, are you simply wandering and simply letting things happen without much thought?
Our stage in life often creates different searches:
Identity
Peace
Contentment
Love
Success
What are you seeking as urgent, desired, wanted, or needed?
In John 1:29-35 (NKJV) we read:
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
Jesus stepped out of the shadows and was identified as the Messiah. John saw Jesus as the one they all had been waiting for. The one prophesied about in the early scriptures. Jesus had now been “made public” and started his ministry.
Continuing on with John 1:35-37 (NKJV) we read:
“Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?”
Curiosity caused these men to follow Jesus. But why? What were they looking for? These men were followers of John the Baptist. Were they trying to personally investigate if the claims from John were true? Or did they see something else that attracted them to him?
Regardless the reason, Jesus asks them the question… “What do you seek?”
I wonder what would happen if Jesus were to ask us the same question as we start the year. How would we answer? Are we clear on what (or who) it is we are seeking?
Q: What, specifically, are you seeking in the year ahead? List as many as possible for business, life and spirit.
Matthew 6:33 says that we are to first seek God’s Kingdom. After that, He will provide everything
we need.
Isaiah 55:6 says, ”Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.”
Our search for God is motivated by different hopes, interests, and aspirations. He is interested in all of them!
My encouragement to you this year is:
Of all the things you are seeking this year, first include the search for a deeper relationship with God, through His son, Jesus, and with the Holy Spirit. Make that your priority. Let Him direct your paths to take the “safe-way” and even change your course in the year ahead.
My Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I pause as I start my week to spend some time with you. I pray that this week, month and year I would seek Your face in all I do. I commit this year to seeking Your will for my business and life. May Your Holy Spirit guide me toward the path that keeps me safe. Amen.
Blessings as Always!
Steve Shrout
President, Corpath Forums
Email: president@corpath.ca
"Pursuing Excellence in Business, Life and Spirit
Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next Forum Group meeting.
Attached to this is a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation, and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development, and SPIRITUAL growth.
