Discoveries

This week we celebrated Columbus Day. It is the commemoration of the adventures and discoveries of Christopher Columbus (15th Century Adventurer and Discoverer) Check out this site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Columbus
to read more about him, if you wish.

I mention Columbus because he was a person whose insatiable curiosity and perserverance about what mattered to him most resulted in discoveries and a chain of events that altered world wide views about what is "possible". Perhaps his story is limited by its obvious focus upon materialism and political/nationalistic ambitions. However, I want to point to the outcome of what can happen when a person pays attention to an "inkling" or speculation about a possibility. What happens when curiousity leads to action that is literally "against all odds?"

For many people of faith, "inklings" emerge on a regular basis. It is as if we have been given, in prayer, study, and fellowship, a broad radar screen. Every time there is an invitation from "out there" that might speak to some gift, resource or ability we have, a "blip" occurs on that radar screen. Other terms for this process could be "being moved by the Holy Spirit", "discerning a call to vocation". Sometimes the blip is not that eloquent... it could pop into our awareness with words like: "Who, ME?????" ... or the lamentable "Why me?" A situation, a person, or a concern may seem to suddenly appear in our path. Interruptions may occur that knock us off balance or that distract us from our self-determined objective for the hour, or the day.

Christ inspires us to be courageous and adventurous as we learn how the things we do and say may have an enduring effect upon the discovery of the Kingdom of God by people throughout the earth. Anytime we serve to point another person to a deeper awareness of God's abiding peace, justice, hope and love we are stepping into the uncharted regions of human souls. WE can't tell where or when the sea of one person's despair may open suddenly to a horizon of healing and renewed life. Our faith, and our awareness of another's pain or need motivates and directs us as we walk toward and with those who haven't yet experienced Jesus. Our faithful trust serves to guide them through their uncharted territories where they can learn about the miraculous love made possible by God's love in Christ.

Columbus' discoveries have influenced human history for 515 years. Your discovery of how you will serve the "other" may reverberate throughout eternity! What "blips" are appearing on your radar screen?