On Searching For More

You can't want what you don't know.

I've come to understand this with deeper appreciation as the years go on. I've learned that there's a lot that I don't know, but even more importantly, I've learned that ignorance is not an excuse to avoid growth. Now I'm not talking about ignorance of politics, literature, or cultural affairs, etc. (although those have their place), but of two of the greatest intangibles we have on this earth: faith and love.

We, as humans, were made for greatness. There's no doubt about that. We've created and conquered and contributed. But I refuse to believe that our legacy of time spent here will culminate only in what we've physically accomplished. If we are able to do such marvelous, magnificent feats through just our hands and intellect, what greater things can we accomplish with our hearts and souls? It should be the duty of every single person to explore the extent of those capabilities.

So often, we settle. We settle for a shade of love that breathes whispers of the real thing, and sometimes even worse, outright mocks it. We haven't been loved as we deserve, and as a result, the love we give in return is affected. Because we don't experience real love, we let ourselves believe that just maybe it doesn't exist. Is this you? It's me sometimes, on a deep level. I have days where I know love is present, and I have days where I begin to doubt that it will ever return. But I'm here to tell you, and maybe you haven't heard it before or you need a reminder, don't settle. Love is real. Maybe your family has left deep wounds on your heart, or your friends have turned out to be false and unkind, or your relationships have left you broken and confused. We've all been there in some way or another, but I want to tell you, don't lose hope. I've seen firsthand multiple generations of family with no divorce, friends who accept you just as you are and then leave you better than you were before, and dates who go out of their way to make you feel noticed and respected and appreciated. Real love exists.

Does this seem naive? Truthfully, I'm past caring. I used to think that God had done all He could do in my life. I knew He existed, I went to mass on Sundays, and every now and then I prayed a rosary (if there was something I really wanted). Thankfully, through that real love that I know exists, I was able to see and grow in the faith I was lacking, but here's the thing: it didn't stop there. As a person of faith, I have a challenge to get to know God on deeper levels every day. Just as a married person wouldn't say to their spouse, "Well, I guess I've learned everything about you that I could, so we can stop talking now," you should never settle that way in your faith.

This past weekend at Steubenville West, I experienced 1,000+ teens praising and worshipping and calling upon the Holy Spirit with passion, and I witnessed Him show up. It wasn't a show and it wasn't fake. If you've ever doubted that God is real, or He's real but just asleep, or that young people don't desire to know him anymore, think again. I watched that same room go from full volume to absolute silence in a matter of two seconds, every single person awestruck by the presence of God. He's real, He's powerful, and He's present. He wants to make Himself known to you in big ways. I'm sure of it.

Because I have witnessed these things, I see it as my duty to share them with you. As I said, you can't want what you don't know, but that doesn't mean you should settle. Keep searching. Don't live with a mediocre faith, one that believes in "something." Don't claim "spiritual, but not religious."Don't stick around friends that cause you stress and treat you badly, or only call when they want something, or never challenge you to grow. Put into your family what you hope to get out of it. I'm not saying it's easy, and maybe you aren't sure you can get past that mindset. I'm telling you, you can. You can do it. God wants so much greatness for you, and even when you think you've reached all you could possibly know about faith and love, there is still more He wants to give.

Thus understanding and love, that is, the knowledge of and delight in the truth, are the two arms of the soul, with which it embraces and comprehends with all the saints the length and breath, the height and depth, that is the eternity, the love, the goodness, and the wisdom of God. // St. Bernard