So wrote Robert Ballard after discovering the ghostly hulk of the R.M.S. Titanic in her lonely berth more than two miles deep in the North Atlantic. For nearly three-quarters of a century, since early April 1912, the great ship had been celebrated in legend, along with the 1,522 souls who had disappeared with her beneath the icy waters hundreds of miles off the coast of Newfoundland.
On several occasions, the explorer used the same word to describe his lifelong dream: 'quest.' It means a pursuit, a search, or, as Webster colorfully adds, 'a chivalrous enterprise in medieval romance usually involving an adventurous journey.'
What is your 'quest'? Do you have a 'lifelong dream'? Anything 'dominating your life' enough to hold your attention for thirteen or more years? Without a quest, life is quickly reduced to bleak black and wimpy white, a diet too bland to get anybody out of bed in the morning. A quest fuels our fire. It refuses to let us drift downstream, gathering debris. It keeps our mind in gear, makes us press on.
God is forever on a quest, too. Ever thought about that? In fact, His adventurous journey is woven throughout the fabric of the New Testament. One thread is in Romans 8:29, where he mentions that He is conforming us to His Son's image: 'God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love Him along the same lines as the life of His Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity He restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in Him.' [MSG] Another is in Philippians 1:6, where we're told that He began His 'good work' in us and He isn't about to stop. Elsewhere He even calls us His 'workmanship' (Ephesians 2:10). Peter's second letter goes so far as to list some of the things included in this quest: 'faith ... moral excellence ... knowledge ... self-control ... perseverance ... godliness ... brotherly kindness ... love' (2 Peter 1:5-7, NASB).
Character qualities in His children - that's His quest. And He won't quit until He completes His checklist. When will that be? When we rest in peace ... and not one day sooner. Thanks, Lord."
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"All of us are surrounded by and benefit from the results of someone's quest. Let me name a few:
Above my head is a bright electric light. Thanks, Tom.
On my nose are eyeglasses that enable me to focus. Thanks, Ben.
In my driveway is a car ready to take me wherever I choose to steer it. Thanks, Henry.
Across my shelves are books full of interesting and carefully researched pages. Thanks, authors.
Flashing through my mind are ideas, memories, and creative skills. Thanks, teachers.
Tucked away in the folds of my life are discipline and determination, a refusal to quit when the going gets rough, a love for our country's freedom, a respect for authority. Thanks, marines.
Coming into my ears is beautiful music - a wonderful mix of melody and rhythm and lyrics that linger. Thanks, composers.
Deep inside me are personality traits, strong convictions, a sense of right and wrong, a love for God, an ethical compass, a commitment to my wife and family. Thanks, parents.
At home is a peaceful surrounding of eye - pleasing design, colorful wallpaper, tasteful and comfortable furnishings, hugs of affirmation - a shelter in a time of storm. Thanks, Cynthia.
My list could go on and on. So could yours.
Because some cared enough to dream, to pursue, to follow through and complete their quest, our lives are more comfortable, more stable.
That's enough to spur me on. How about you?"
The above is from "Day by Day with Charles Swindoll"
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