Searchin’
“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9, NKJV
In February 1974 the music band Chicago (originally named Chicago Transit Authority for those who really knew them) came out with the song, “(I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long. Having just graduated from high school the year before (50 years ago May 2023!) I had been invited to participate in what was called Teens Encounter Christ (TEC), a weekend for high school seniors put on by the Catholic organization of the same name.
Being I had attended a weekend in my own senior year in 1973, I was very happy to be among the leaders to share what the Lord Jesus had done, and Who He was, in my own life at that time. With no “outside” influences to distract us (no watches, TV, radio, etc.) during the 3-day event, the 20+ guys had a good weekend to reflect, and to search, for the Lord themselves, hoping they would make a lifelong commitment to know and follow Him.
I was to give a short presentation, later learning it was called my testimony in “evangelical terms”, and I played the Chicago song as a lead-in. My heart was pounding as I had never done this before – a nineteen-year-old Catholic boy witnessing to others who had been raised in the Catholic church. Not something we were accustomed to doing.
The full lyrics are as follows:
As my life goes on I believe
Somehow something’s changed
Something deep inside
Ooh a part of me
There’s a strange new light in my eyes
Things I’ve never known
Changing my life
Changing me
I’ve been searchin’So long
To find an answer
Now I know my life has meaning, oh
Now I see myself as I am
Feeling very free
Life is everything
Ooh it’s meant to be
When my days have come to an end
I will understand
What I left behind
Part of me
I’ve been searching so long
To find an answer
Now I know my life has meaning, whoa
Searching (don’t you know I’m)
For an answer
To the question
Oh yeah”Who am I?”
Maybe (maybe it’s true)
It’s only natural (it’s only natural baby, yeah)
Good things in life
Take a long time (yeah yeah)
Source: LyricFindSongwriters: James Pankow(I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group
I had accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior prior to that time, and knew what impact, and salvation, He would have in their life if they too would choose to follow Him. My heart was that these young men, all in their late teens, would also believe on Him, and let Him lead each one to their full destiny that only He can reveal to them and give them through His Holy Spirit.
As I look back on that time, I realize that each of us needs to continually search for the One Who alone can lead and direct our steps. In an earlier message I wrote, “Next Step”, I shared how even now I personally was expecting of the Lord to show me what He has next for myself and others, even these 50+ years later.
It is a good thing to depend on the Lord. I trust you are still searching daily for the Lord’s heart for you, His people Israel, and the plans He has written of and will fulfill in our lifetime. I trust your heart is still searching for the Life He alone gives, and you are walking in faith and trust for Him to fulfill all that He has called you to be, for His glory and honor. If not, keep searchin’.
Even as He promised to the Jews, as we see today returning to their Land of Israel as He prophesies and promised, He will be found by all who seek Him.
“I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.” Jeremiah 29:14, NKJV
“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6, NASU
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin
Founder, Love For His People
Message #143 in this series – in the year of our Lord 06.16.23 – “Searchin’” – Friday, 8:30 am in Charlotte, North Carolina Love For His People Ministry. is a charitable, USA humanitarian ministry started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations, especially to and within Israel. If these letters minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless known families in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. |
Steve Martin
