Searching For the Answer
Searching for the Answer
I sit still, staring out the window with my head propped in one hand and my coffee cup in the other. The house is quite. Today, I find myself searching for the answer. If we know the answer – the situation we find ourselves in becomes more bearable, easier to navigate and a little bit lighter to carry. So, here I sit needing, wanting, desiring the answer. This is nothing new. I have sat here before, haven’t you?
Sometimes we fool ourselves into believing we have the answer. We put our trust in our own abilities, opinions and thought processes. Sometimes we begin searching for the answer in all the wrong places. We Google it, call Mama and even ask the world their opinion as we post in haste on social media. Sometimes we know the answer, yet we choose to rest in our turmoil instead of applying what we know.
In times of uncertainty, when my heart hurts, when I am afraid or feeling completely insecure, when I wonder where God is, when I am not sure what to do, when I am lonely, when I am burdened and when I am afraid – I find myself searching for the answer. When I realize I am apart of something much bigger than me, when I feel led to do something outside my comfort zone, when it is time to take a step - I sit with my Bible open - searching for the answer.
You see, no matter what is happening in our world today we can find The Answer when we search for Him. Jesus is the answer… no matter what. As I was studying today I came across scriptures in the book of John that reminded me who my answer is. I hope you see your answer as well. He is the answer to whatever we may be facing or experiencing today. Let’s take a look.
“And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.’” John 6:35
Jesus is the bread which supplies life and satisfies our spiritual needs. We need to feel loved and accepted; to feel that we have value and worth; to be forgiven; and to have security and a purpose. Like the woman at the well, we look for those things in the wrong places. But Jesus told her in John 4:14, “…the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” Jesus is the only thing that will ever truly satisfy us.He is our answer.
“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’” John 8:12
The world can be a dark place. When we feel alone or scared or insecure – we sense the darkness creeping in around us. We stumble around in the darkness of our own sin – whether we are blatantly sinning or just not intentionally choosing to be obedient. Maybe we haven’t even thought to ask for direction and now we feel lost. Just like the sunshine is the physical light – Jesus is the spiritual light. When we spend time with Him, He will shine a light on our sin so we can get rid of it. He will cast the light to guide us on the path He has for us. In the Light, things become clear. Jesus is the light! He is the answer. Today, sit and soak up the Light!
“Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.’” John 10:7 & 9
Door of the sheep? What? Well, if you are not feeling very excited about that one – let’s research what it means. In biblical times, shepherds would build a stone enclosure. I am guessing they were much like a corral. At night the shepherd would herd his sheep into the enclosure and lay across the opening, serving as the door. He would prevent predators from coming in to attack His sheep. He would also prevent the sheep from wandering away. Pretty cool, huh? Oh, Jesus how I need you to prevent attacks on me and to stop me from wandering away from you. You are my answer! Today, let’s sit and be thankful for this Door of the sheep.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” John 10:11
This scripture follows the one where Jesus tells us that Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy – but Jesus came so that we might have abundant life. He gave His physical life for us so that we could have eternity with Him. This life is just a blip of time. Jesus, help me to not focus on me – but use me and my life for Your purposes. Help us to rest in the reality that You are here. You are watching over us and caring for us. Even when we cannot see what You are doing, You are working all things together for our good. Jesus, You are our answer. Help us to embrace that incredible truth.
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?’” John 11:25-26
This is getting exciting! Who wants to yell, “Yes!” It is pretty simple, really. When we place our faith and our trust in Jesus – asking for forgiveness of our sins – and choosing to believe on Him - we can have eternal life. We can have abundant life. We are His and He is ours! When we struggle with life – we need to remember He is our life! Jesus is the answer! He is my answer. He is your answer. If you have not accepted Him and surrendered your life to Him – today is a great day to do that! Not sure how? Thought you had, but just not sure? Message me and let’s chat or call a friend. But don’t wait another second. Life if too short to put it off.
Just like Jesus died – we are to die to our self-centered ways. And just like Jesus rose again, we are to walk in newness to Him.
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6
There is only One way to God, and it is through Jesus. I challenge you today to forget everything Mama said, everything you were told to think or believe and just sit and read God’s Word. If we want to know how to know God, what better place to go than to His word? As you read you will find that Jesus is the WAY to the Father. Because He came, lived and died for us – He made the way, paid the price for us to experience a relationship with God. He is the source of all TRUTH. He is the revelation of God to us. The truth is knowledge and He teaches us all we need to know. He is also the LIFE. Because He died for us, we can live for Him today and we can have the hope of eternal life. So yes, Jesus is the answer!
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. I am the vine, you are the branches, He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:1 & 5
I love these verses. Jesus is using this metaphor to show us that God is the gardener, Jesus is the vine and we are the branches that are to attach ourselves to the vine. When we do, His life flows in and through us. And when that happens we cannot help but to bear fruit that will honor the Gardener. He nourishes us, cares for us and even prunes us. All of these things help us to grow. It is a beautiful picture. So when we find ourselves sitting and pondering what we should do – let’s remember Jesus is the answer. We are to abide in Him and He will abide in us. There is nothing better than that right there.
God revealed Himself to Moses with a resounding “I AM”. Jesus used the same words to reveal Himself to us. Jesus shared seven “I Am” statements. In the Bible the #7 is used over and over again to show completeness. Satan wants us to feel incomplete, as if we are missing something. But, Jesus completes us. Whenever we find ourselves searching for the answer, may we remember we already have our answer. JESUS IS THE ANSWER. He says, “I Am”. He is our Bread, our Light, our Door, our Shepherd, our Life, our Way and our Vine. He is everything we need.
Who do you know that is searching for the answer today? Share the answer. I will be praying for you as you do!
(Thanks for reading this post. Feel free to like it and share it! Let's share The Answer! So many need it! Love YOU!)