LOOKING FOR LOVE?

           When I was a kid, Mickey Gilly sang a song that reminded people not to “look for love in all the wrong places”. If you have no idea what I am talking about, that’s ok, just read on. Anyway, Mickey had a point in regards to looking for things and expecting things of others.  

           We shouldn’t look for wisdom among fools. We shouldn’t look for an abundance of anything among those who lack a capacity to provide it. We shouldn’t expect selflessness from narcissists, and we shouldn’t expect fellowship from the faithless. We shouldn’t expect leadership from those who refuse to follow. Said another way; the higher our false expectations, the greater the likelihood of disappointment.

           What are you looking for? Are you looking in the right place? If you and I are not looking in the right place—we are not likely to catch up with whatever it is or whomever it is that we are looking for. Pretty simple, right?  Well, not actually… it can be kind of complicated at times.

            This seems like a good place to quote an angel, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5)

             All people are searching for something. Many people are looking in the wrong place. What are people looking for?  People are looking for love, acceptance, hope, provision, freedom from fear, honor, worth or respect, and a sense of belonging to name many. Often times, people are looking to make the most of the one shot they have on this earth until they realize what they are looking for cannot be found in the places they are searching.

             People are looking for life in places that lack life. This is what is known as a “no win” situation. The life to be found, embraced, and internalized is the satisfying, thirst-quenching life of Christ. In Greek, it’s known as Zoe. If you know someone named “Zoe”, her name means life and vitality. “Zoe” is the whole package inclusive of faith, hope, and love and all the benefits of having each on a never-ending, life-giving eternal continuum.

             If you are going to look for something, look for Someone. Look for Zoe. Look for Christ in history books if you want. Look for Him in a dialogue with another. Look for Christ in a sanctuary or chapel. Look for Him in tragedy, in victory, in poverty, in wisdom, and in everyday life or on a special pilgrimage. Look all you want. He is in all those places and more. He is a “rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”.

             When you seek Him, make sure you also converse with Him. Dialogue with Him. Share your hurts, fears, questions, and even anger. Definitely converse with Him, because you can and you can because He is alive. He is Risen from the very grave He willingly entered on your behalf. Tell Him of your need of Him. Tell Him of your need of cleansing and forgiveness. Tell Him of your need of His leadership and Lordship in your life.

             Don’t look for love in all the wrong places. Look for Him who is love first, and all other things will fall into place. Christ put it this way… “I am the way and the truth and the “zoe”. No one comes to the Father except through me. Easter Sunday is but a few days away. What a great day to look for love in the right place.

-Dr. Gary Hewins,

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