We’re pretty sophisticated people; in all of our research, findings and conclusions.  There is so much ingenuity and know-how that you would think we’d know how to be happier, contented and saved.

You could call it the “Dr. Phil Meets Jesus” show with presented formulas to aid the viewer at home who has nothing else to do on a weekday afternoon.  Many religions will present you with steps that you need to take to be all three of those things, including the Catholic Church.  (We have more answers than you have questions!)

Someone asks me if there’s a purgatory, as though through ordination I’ve divined the answer.  I tell them that I only got a “C” in purgatory, so I’m not the one to ask.

We love formulas because it stops us from doing the work ourselves.  Once again the easy road is chosen in this first world experience we call the U.S.  Why would anyone struggle for insights or direction when the work has already been done?  “If you’ve done it for yourself, then why not share with me so that I don’t need to do it,” is the statement we’d never say out loud but is our true feeling.

Jesus talked in parables.  Confusing, multiple parables that baffled his audience more than it helped.  Jewish wisdom always answers one question with another question.

Our life experiences vary from person to person yet the search for meaning and purpose is the same.  But how and when we search is our unique response.  Developmentally, I’ve always felt about twenty years behind my age.  I need to live almost twice as long to gain the insights of someone half my age.  Oh well.   The searching and yearning continues.

We each uncover and cherish our personal discoveries in our own way and time.  We become impatient talking to someone who’s struggling with something that we’ve resolved years before.  Others smile to themselves as we say some statement that breaks through open doors.  Yet, each is an insight and each is important because of the information it provides.  This information or insight becomes such because we have uncovered it ourselves, we dug deep until the treasure was found.  We found something valuable and it is now ours.