I Tried That ~ Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader, 

Often over the years, students would come to me with academic difficulties.  Some were genuinely stuck and I did my best to encourage and assist them.  Some were lazy and wanted me to give them the answers.  “The problem with teachers is that they give away answers too quickly.”  

Whilst reviewing notes for an online class I teach; I found an incident that I had noted from a classroom-based course some years ago.  A student had come to me during office hours requesting aid with the lab assignment for his class.  Those who know me will tell you that I almost always answer a question with a question.  It endears and infuriates.  

In this instance, the student answered each guiding or leading question with, “I have tried that.”  By the third question, I knew that he had not tried.  One could not have read the material, reviewed the handout, and done the first part of the lab without having found the answer to his question.  I told the student that all he needed was in the materials he already possessed. 

We all do this to some degree.  We do not try sometimes and yet we want the answers.  I know that we do this with Jesus.  We say we have tried to follow him or to understand him.  I often hear others quote Jeremiah saying ^“’ For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”   The difficulty is that we need to keep reading.   We all want to find God whether we admit it or not.  Jeremiah continues, “’’ Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’”  (Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV) 

I stopped there but the passage has more to consider.  I will make my point and then consider the rest of the passage.  The focus is that we must seek God with all of our hearts.  We have to try with all that we are.  The rest of the passage reveals that the Father is speaking to those in captivity and exile.  It is written for us but not to us.  Still, my focus is that we must worship the Father in truth and in spirit.  We must still seek him with all of our hearts. 

Since we are supposed to love him with all that we are, we cannot find him unless we seek him with all that we are.  I am going to continue to prepare my heart and mind for Holy Week by considering the things we say we have tried in order to follow Christ.  Please walk with me as I attempt to refine my seeking process by considering the things which we try that will not work.  As always, Dear Reader, your thoughts and questions are welcome.    

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) 

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good. 

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“Tell me who you seek.”