The Search Party

Steve Sabol

March 11, 2019

A few weeks ago, Mistie Osterhouse asked me to play with her and a few other musicians at the Gateway House of prayer on a Saturday night. It had been a while since I last picked up my trusty Fender Telecaster, so I needed to replace the strings. I knew I bought five sets of Ernie Ball light gauge strings a long time ago, but do you think I could find them? The search was on, but to no avail. I wound up driving to Creter Guitar Shop in Jonestown to buy a set.

At the age of 68 I find myself going on searches like that one more often than I used to. The other day someone asked me if I believed in the hereafter. I said absolutely! A couple of times a day I walk into a room and ask myself, “What am I here after?” All kidding aside, though, searching is a huge part of life’s journey.   

This verse of Scripture found in Jeremiah 29:13 comes to mind: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Therein lies the most important search in a person’s life! If we don’t find God, we have missed the very reason for our existence. Compared to knowing the One who made us, everything else is just rubbish (Philippians 3:8).

Deep down, everyone has this longing. God’s image is stamped on our souls. He placed eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). That means we are incurably spiritual by nature. That’s why every human culture – no matter how primitive – has come up with some concept of a higher power, some vision of reality that goes beyond the natural.

On one level, this explains why science has not done away with religion. The latest version of the iPhone or the newest and fastest computer chip cannot meet the deepest needs of a person’s heart. It’s also why millions of people read their horoscopes every day and millions more call psychic hotlines.

I started to experience that very hunger in the early seventies. After experimenting with some things, thrills and theories, that hunger eventually led me to an encounter with Jesus Christ at a small church in Levittown, PA. It was May the 18th, 1975. I was a little less than five months shy of my 25th birthday. I now have two birthdays, and, to be honest with you, I celebrate the May 18th one with more vigor than the one marked on my birth certificate.

You see, we were born with a hunger for spiritual truth, and if we cannot find it by normal means, we will reach for anyone or anything claiming to give us an answer. Something inside of us drives us to seek ultimate meaning outside ourselves. God put that something inside us. Augustine gave us this oft-quoted prayer: “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” Everyone is on a quest for the Savior, but only a few acknowledge that. We desperately want to find him.

This quest for God can’t wait. The longer you wait, the more difficult it can become. Searching for God is good; finding him is even better. Remember, your Creator said, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Seek him. Join the search party.

About the Author: Steve Sabol

"Steve Sabol was born October 3rd, 1950 in Bristol, PA. He married Nancy Keller, the love of his life on July 12th, 1969. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2019. They have a son and a daughter, five granddaughters, and five great-grandchildren. Steve entered full-time pastoral ministry in August of 1980. He’s been a shepherd for over forty years. He moved to Lebanon thirty years ago and today serves as one of Lifeway Church’s community pastors. Steve has been a musician for over fifty years and his favorite instrument is the guitar. Ministering to men in prisons, churches, rescue missions and community centers has been a passion of Steve’s for over 12 years. He has spoken at over thirty men’s events across the country and sends out a daily inspirational email to over 6,000 men every day. He is currently writing a book titled “Connected” which should be available in the summer of 2020. Steve loves spending time with his bride, and staying busy for the King, changing the world one man at a time."

1 Comment

  1. Lee keller

    Steven Sabol is a family member of mine but most importantly an inspiration to me as a brother in Christ It Is by no coincidence that the Lord has directed me to the words and life of this man for everything that the Lord is leading me to today he has already been there and I look forward to his teachings as our relationship grows I am starting to learn of the miraculous ways the Lord Works in my life. Though I cannot even begin to understand the Lord’s ways I know now that his ways are the right ways and his directions is of his will and I fully accept it and most important of all I know he will not lead me astray for the Lord is a loving and compassionate Lord though taking through many trials in my life it has made me that much stronger in my faith today

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