Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”
—John 1:38
If you arrange the Gospels chronologically, this is one of the first things that Jesus was recorded saying to his disciples. It’s a very big question that encompasses a whole slew of other questions.
What do you want?
- What is it you are looking for?
- What do you want to see happen?
- What do you want to achieve?
- What do you want to be a part of?
- Whom do you want to get to know?
- Where do you want to go?
- What do you want to possess?
- What do you want to give?
The is an unbelievable depth to those four little words in that question. I’m just scratching the surface.
Just like the disciples Jesus first asked the question just scratched the surface. Their answer? “Where are you staying?” Very superficial. It was sort of like asking, “Can we hang out with you for a little while?” I’m not sure the disciples really knew what it was they truly wanted.
I’m not sure I know what I want either.
As usual, Jesus answered their question and a whole lot more at the same time. “Come and see,” was all he said. Basically Jesus was telling them to spend some time with him. Then they’d find what they really wanted, that thing they were looking for.
Most folks don’t see Christianity as very relevant to real, day-to-day life these days. Yet the first thing Jesus asks his would-be disciples goes right to the core of who they are. By extension he is asking us the same exact thing.
What do you want?
You may have your life’s plan all figured out. If you do, I’m genuinely happy for you.
But I’m not there with you, though. Even though I’m rapidly approaching 40, I still don’t really know what it is I want to be when I grow up. One thing I learned flying in the Navy: You’ll never hit your target if you don’t decide which target to aim at.
Therefore I am going to take some down time by lowering my priority for the blogging scene while I wrestle with the question. When I come out the back side of the process I fully expect some things will change. What, exactly, I have no idea at this point. Nor do I know how long it will take.
But I’m sure it will be an interesting process.
Do you know the answer to the question?
What do you want?
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