Albert Szent-Györgyi lived from 1893 to 1986. A Hungarian physiologist, who fought in the resistance during World War II and later moved to the United States, he is credited with discovering vitamin C. Commenting on his work, he was once observed, “Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen but understanding it for the first time.”
There are, of course, some ways in which his observation applies in a unique fashion to certain kinds of work. The discovery of vitamin C was a one-of-kind “discovery.”
But it occurs to me that in another sense, the spiritual territory that we discover within ourselves is another kind of adventure in understanding. The frontier between our own lives and the life of God is, by definition, an unexplored world for all of us. In broad terms some people have blazed trails for us that lead the way — St. John of the Cross, Theresa of Avila, Thomas Merton, and a long list of others.
In another sense, however, the journey for each of us has its own unique, autobiographical character. There are commonalities, but there is also endless variety.
In that sense, the adventure in understanding is one that is always opening up to us as we journey ever more deeply into God. “We know what we know, when we know it.”
That means that, if we are open to it, each of us is on a journey of discovery filled with fresh understanding and wonder. The spiritual life is not a long, slow, forced march. It is not a boring celestial choir singing 650 verses of “Just As I Am.” It is an adventure, filled with uncharted territory, endless possibilities for growth, and countless occasions for wonder.
Don’t drag, trudge, or march your way through the day. Go on an adventure.
In 1970 I became a Christian. I was raised in a wonderful Southern Baptist Church but when I went off to college I went astray for the next twelve years. Then, out of my depths, I, at last, cried out to God and He heard and answered me. Well, of course, He did! After all, He had been waiting for me; yea, longing for me. In fact, I’m convinced He went through all my hell with me. Because He is God He waited for me. My! my! what a lesson in patience.
During my early years with Jesus my Bible was my pillow every night. Every waking hour that I could I was immersed in Scripture. Within three months I quit my job even though my son was only 6 years of age and I as a single mom had no income except what I earned. However, I had an opportunity to go to missionary school and the Lord blessed our lives. Yes, He sustained us with miracles of love.
I truly believe those who hunger and thrist after Jesus will be satisfied and filled with the Holy Spirit. Forty years later I still love Him but my love has different flavors now.
It is truly a living relationship that we may enjoy with our Heavenly Father which is dynamic and changes like the seasons as well as deepens as we learn to trust and abide.
Does God want us to be babes for our entire Christian life? Of course not! I don’t want my grandson, who is now 4 years of age, to remain a little child his entire life. I realize that no time will be repeated. Every minute is precious with him so I don’t want to waste any of it.
It seems so simple to me that our Creator has given us innumerable signs to reveal truth to us. Jesus is ours and we are His!
Carol Lawson