Hyde and Seek

We are obsessed by "Before and After," and our obsession begins at the most basic of levels: Before, as children, we were incapable of feeding ourselves; now -- after -- we have jobs, choose our own foods, cook them, and maybe even feed others who require our help. "Before and After" signifies progress, improvement. But, what is it in us that needs to mark milestones, celebrate achievements, or strive for certain things?

We were made to search. For bigger. For better. The pinnacle, the apex, the culmination of all pursuits.

I disliked having to memorize the Westminster catechism in middle school, now I wish I remembered more than I do. But the one that sticks with me is Westminster catechism #1:

"What is man's chief end? Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever."

The purpose of all human life is to seek to bring glory to God and revel in who He is, forever. Not exactly a static condition if you think about the attempt. Malachi 3:10, throws down the gauntlet:

"'Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,'
Says the Lord of hosts,
'If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.'"

Or enough time to enjoy it. Or enough words in your vocabulary to express your appreciation.

It's not easy to like greedy, unappreciative people, or troublemakers who lie and cheat just to get ahead. Who doesn't revile "users" and "Scrooges," and rats who put their own interests above law or love? Most of us root for the underdog, and we like people who are humble and kind to those who are weak. But I have discovered, those two, apparently opposite types of people are more alike than meets the eye. They are both doing what they were born to do: search.

More money; more charity. More me; more Jesus. "More" is not the enemy. It's the "what" that causes issues. In all of our seeking, in all of our straining toward milestones, it's more important we are making progress toward the right prize. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 3:14, says:

"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

He strives for more -- the upward call. A calling that is progressive, a calling that is taking him to a higher level. A calling that does not leave him where he was before, but makes him a better person, a more grateful person, a more giving person, a more forgiving person, a more humble person. A calling that attempts to bring glory to God and to enjoy every opportunity. That is movement and improvement as we were meant to experience it.

There will always be a "Before" and an "After," but how different they appear may just depend in what you pursue.