What You Search for You Will Find

 Henry Ford is quoted as having said, "Whether you think you can or think you can't you are right." The perception of what we believe is powerful, our thoughts dictate our opinions, and our opinions shape our beliefs. Where Henry Ford remarked on our state of mind in the realm of fortitude and perseverance, Pastor John Maxwell has stated that "What you search for you will find." In similar fashion, the power of our thoughts and mindset create for us our unique vision of reality. In the world that we live in today it is easy to get bogged down by television and social media, but at the end of the day what is it that you are looking for in the people you share your time with each day? What state of the state are you seeking? Much like the old saying you are what you eat, I'd like to offer that you will find what you look for each day. 

In Matthew 7:3-5 Jesus tells His disciples (we are His disciples today), "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Ask for things that will glorify God and they will be given to you. Don't sit around and wait for things to be handed to you on a silver platter, go knock on some doors and those doors will open, and in context with today's message, if you seek you will find. So the question is what are you seeking? Do you want to see the bad in the world? Do you want to see the worst of people in your day to day journey? Is your daily goal to see just how many people can do you wrong and make your day a bad day? My friend, just as Jesus shared, if you seek those things you will find them. Now, do I believe Jesus was directing us to find the bad in the world? Not at all, but the directive fits both ways, whatever it is you are seeking you will find it. Look for bad, it is there. Look for the good in this world and it will become increasingly obvious that it is here, and if you seek it, you will find it!

At times we look through jaded lens, at other times we place things under a microscope, and still other times we perceive things through a one way piece of glass, never realizing that if we were to stand in front of a reflective mirror we might just see the exact thing we disdain. During another portion of the Sermon on the Mount in the same truth, teaching lesson, Jesus questioned His disciples and the crowd who had gathered, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" Matthew 7:3. Too often we want to be the judge and jury when it comes to people we share life with or situations that we encounter during our day's journeys. Personal reflection is a skill I have had to invest a significant amount of time and effort in, and when I say it is a challenge, it truly is, but just as Jesus so poignantly shares, many times we only want to see the speck in others when we have a plank of our own. As a matter of fact, preceding Jesus' directive regarding the speck and the plank, Jesus shared a pretty direct message, "Judge not lest ye be not judged" Matthew 7:1. 

Do you see grey clouds and thunderstorms or do you see a vital rain shower that provides nourishment regardless of its initial impact? Do you see a dirty, disheveled homeless vagrant, or do you see a person who is downtrodden, bound in hopelessness who needs to see Jesus through you today? Is the world stacked against you, or are you going through the very things you have to go through to become the person God purposed you to be? Whatever circumstance you are engaged in today one thing is abundantly clear and absolutely true, what you search for, you will find. 

Make the decision today to start self-reflecting more and begin the process to see the good in the world instead of focusing only on the perception of what is bad. As hard as it may be to realize, there is a purpose in the "bad" of life. It is my opinion and I'm sticking with it, but I do not believe in coincidences. God has a plan for each and every person on this planet. You have to make the conscious decision to seek the good and ultimately see the good in this world we all must live. Just as the DJ says on one of my favorite radio stations, WCQR, "There are a lot of good people in the world we live in, but if you can't find one today, be one!" I encourage you today, seek the good and you will find it!

Coach Carter