Gleanings – The Search Is Over
Matthew 13:44-52
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
We are perpetually pursuing the next best thing. In Birmingham it was this week’s greatest wedding of the century. Every past wedding had to be outdone. You see it on other areas of life. Reality and extreme TV seem geared toward the next best thing, the ultimate like the greatest fear, the greatest thrill, and the greatest embarrassment.
We pursue and all the while the greatest thing is a known quantity and at our finger tips. We know what it is. It is being made a part of the kingdom, being adopted into the family of God. Adoption has benefits. As the apostle Paul tells us, we are no longer slaves bound by fear but children who can approach boldly and dare, no not dare, freely call upon God as Father. And this ultimate thing is at our finger tips. It is experienced in Jesus and our naming him Lord.
So why do we keep looking? Have we made an art of restlessness? Did the 24 hour news cycle create us or does it reflect our present darkness? We are in perpetual motion often too busy to love and be loved. We choose good over best.
We would do well to remember the words of St. Augustine. “Thou hast formed us for Thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee.” Pursuing, striving and restlessness, one and all, meet their end in our Maker. “It is finished.”