There's a story about a proud young man who came to the ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates, asking for knowledge. He walked up to the philosopher with some amount of self-importance and said, "O great Socrates, I come to you for knowledge."
Socrates recognized a sense of arrogance in his manner and led the young man through the streets, to the sea, and waded chest deep into the water.
Then he asked the young man, "What do you want?" "Knowledge, O wise Socrates," said the young man with a confident smile.
Socrates put his strong hands on the man's shoulders and pushed him under the water. Thirty seconds later Socrates let him up.
"What do you want?" he asked again. "Wisdom and knowledge," the young man sputtered, "O great and wise Socrates."
Socrates pushed him under the water again. Thirty seconds passed, thirty-five.
Forty. Socrates let him up. The man was gasping now. "What do you want, young man?" Between heavy, heaving breaths, the fellow panted out, "Knowledge, O wise and wonderful sage."
Socrates jammed him under again. Forty seconds passed. Fifty. This time he brought him and asked: "What do you really want?" "Air!" he screamed. "I need air!" With that, the wise philosopher released him and said, "When you want knowledge as you have just wanted air, then you will have knowledge."
The lesson that Socrates sought to teach the young man was simple: to get the things you really want in life, you need to have a passionate desire for it. What you are not ready to die for, you cannot live for.
We can't seek God half-heartedly and find Him. We must pursue the things of God with passion and tenacity. Are you really sure you want what you are asking for?
Prayer: Lord, make me a passionate seeker of your will.
Scriptural Reading: Jeremiah 29:10-14
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