Photo by Sapan Patel on Unsplash

“This one first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah!” (which is translated “Christ”).

—John 1:41

I’ve lost many dear things. Here are a few. I lost my favourite investment research papers. A university professor encouraged us to keep them in our bedside table. I did just that, until I moved, never to find them again. They contained a wealth of financial knowledge. Two: a ministry supporter for my previous career gave me a Miraculous Medal. It’s a shiny silver medal of the Virgin Mary worn around the neck. I’ve been told that it protected soldiers in battle during the World War. She also spiritually protects us from evil. I lost that too. And three: an elderly priest helped me grow in my relationship with Christ. He passed away six years ago, and his friend and fellow priestly brother gave his rosary to me. I unfortunately lost that as well. 

While I asked God for these valuables, I still haven’t received them. But there are other things I have found. My batting average is around 3 for 10 when I ask for lost articles. One day I found a beloved art piece that I drew in high school—it was a scenic ocean image filled with a variety of colourful fish and sea life. Our favourite childhood cat returned home after being gone for three days. We thought we lost him to the neighbourhood foxes. We were relieved! And during university I found my great love for Jesus Christ. I struggled with sin and rejected him again and again, only to finally accept his love. I had a powerful confession experience that brought me new life. A tough third year ended with a great Easter celebration. I was free and joy filled. 

What are you looking for? Why look for the things the world promises to give but never satisfies: empty happiness, shallow meaning, and addictive pleasure. Why search for things that last but a moment, but never endures the highs with the lows? Why be exhausted and tired, agonised and confused? “Come to me, all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Have you found your purpose in a relationship with Jesus Christ? It’s the Easter Octave: why not start today? It doesn’t matter if it’s been an ongoing search, a one-time date, or a journey that’s never started. He is there, waiting for you. In fact, I might argue you’ve been looking for Him all along.

We can discover God’s personal love for us. Jesus Christ died personally for our sins. The great drama we experienced in Holy Week started with betrayal, laboured with injustice and condemnation, and finished with death on the Cross. It depicted Jesus as a spotless victim. The lamb who was slain, who took on suffering patiently and silently that he was like a sheep quiet before his shearers. This is the passion of Jesus Christ, who died personally for you and for me. His love is great and did not end—it was the Resurrection that had the final say. And yet, the empty grave on Easter Monday is what I am truly looking for. What might that be? Ask Jesus to know him, love him, and serve him. We can start now and we can start again. Nothing else will compare, for when we have the Lord, we have everything.

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