The Great Search

"Eureka! I found it!" Have you ever said that after searching for something that you had lost? By the way, that is exactly what " Eureka" means ... "I found it".

I believe that this phrase became popular during the California gold rush. As the story goes, a prospector who had learned Greek while in college, exclaimed: " Eureka, I found it !" ; after he had discovered a large gold nugget. He had come west to find his fortune and had been searching for a long time for gold and finally found it.

If you are a person who wears glasses or contact lenses you are well aware that there is a common experience among those who require glasses. Eventually, you will loose your glasses. Now, since you need your glasses to see, you know that they can’t be too far away. But here is the problem ... unfortunately, you actually need your glasses to find your glasses. What a frustrating predicament ! It might be difficult for people with perfect sight to relate to this. The point is, unlike loosing other things, you know that the glasses can be found. They couldn’t have gotten to far away and it is simply a matter of time before they are found. Simply by searching carefully and diligently ( and asking if anyone else has seen them!) you will always prove successful.

There is a story in the Bible about some people who were searching for someone and finally found him. (John 1:44-46)

Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. {45} Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. {46} And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

These men had been expectantly waiting for the arrival of the Messiah. They were looking for him. There was no question that the Messiah would eventually come. There is an something here that is quite interesting for us to consider. We have found the Messiah, implies that they had been looking for him, and he was found. Like a lost treasure that could be unearthed though a diligent search, or glasses that could not have gotten to far away.

The word of their find was spread as if they had discovered a great earthly treasure. They fanned out to spread the word to everyone they knew. Especially to those who would appreciate the news most - other seekers.

Very often, we are surrounded by many treasures, but will only find them when we actually start looking. God gives us many opportunities to serve him, but they are only found by those who are looking for them. Searching changes our perspective, our focus is changed, our purpose becomes more clear. We have a goal. Too often we wait for God to hand us opportunities for service.

I wonder how different our daily routine would become, if we started looking and expecting to find ways to serve him? Let’s try it this week and see what will happen !

Pastor Rick Wheeler

You can email Pastor Rick Wheeler with any questions you may have regarding this letter.