Looking for...

"If you don't find God in the next person you meet, it's a waste of time looking for him further."

Gandhi (1869 - 1948)

Everyday we spend some amount of time looking for something. The alarm clock sounding, a pair of shoes, something to eat, eye glasses, a file on the computer, or the car keys.

I spent some time looking for things today. A friend and I spent most of the morning looking for two new tires for the truck, since last week I hit a pothole and the passenger tire blew. Our family spent several hours walking around the mall looking for new church pants and shoes for the boys. I stood at the counter looking for the hot dog combo that I wanted to order at the mall. I glanced over the food court while looking for a table for our family to eat, but at the same time looking for a good angle to watch the flat screen TV, which was showing the Cuba vs. Argentina men's volleyball teams, both of which were looking for the win and the championship trophy. Halfway through our meal, a little boy came up to our table looking for a little sympathy, namely in spare coins.

As I sat there, eating my hot dog, my mind was wandering and looking for new ideas to blog about...when it hit me. People watching is very educational. The mall is a great place for people watching. With the theme of "looking for" in mind I started to wonder, "What exactly are people looking for?"

*The couple sitting two tables down from me, who were playing Tarot cards. What were they looking for? A hint at their futures?

*The young girl kissing her boyfriend five tables over. She must have been no more than 15 years old. What was she looking for? Some "sweet-for-a-season-but-misguided-physical" attention that she probably doesn't get from her father?

*The two middle aged women at the department store gazing and trying on expensive jewelry? What were they looking for? Increased status? A little vanity?

*The group of five 20-somethings walking the mall hallways making fun of each other, other people, and hitting on any young girl walking by. What were they looking for? To sooth their ego? Some trouble?

Everyone is looking for something. The sad reality is, they don't know the ultimate answer: Jesus Christ. In the quote above, Ghandi sums up society's mentality, but from my seat at the mall, I can definitely tell you that people are looking for answers to the basic questions of life: Who am I? Why am I here? What am I supposed to do? and Where am I going?

Pray that our family will be faithful in looking for opportunities to share Christ, the Gospel, and Biblical truth.