At least twice a week I pass a shabby little bar in what most people would call "the ghetto." It's basically a glorified shack no bigger than a two car garage. Every time I pass, the same questions come to mind: "Why do people go there? What do they hope to find?"  Some might say they find acceptance, others an escape from the world, and maybe a few would say they find answers to the difficult questions of life.

During his second missionary journey the apostle Paul went to Athens and encountered people who spent a great deal of time philosophizing about life. They were ever in search of new teachings that would bring meaning and understanding. They put their trust in numerous false gods and erected statues in their honor. In the middle of all those icons, Paul found an altar with the inscription, "To an unknown god." Seizing the opportunity, he told them about God, who was unknown to them – creator of heaven and earth. He explained that God designed it so that people would look for Him, reach for Him, and find Him (Acts 17:27).

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People today are still searching for meaning in life. But are they really finding it? Last Wednesday night our youth group went out to investigate that question. Groups of students (college, middle & high school) and parents hit the streets in search of places where people go to find significance and a sense of understanding in life.  One group found a car dealership – a place where people go to purchase not just a car, but an image. Driving a sleek sports car makes you somebody, right? For a while maybe, but within a decade that cool car is likely to be a block of metal in a scrap yard. Another group found a bank – a place that represents money and assets. Money buys things that bring people a sense of power and prestige, but stuff breaks and recent history reminds us that economies can become very unstable. Because we are situated near a college campus, several groups found fraternity houses. One group had the opportunity to talk to some frat brothers who shared what their “community” is like. Beyond the partying, they talked about supporting and encouraging each other with their studies and holding to the “brotherhood code.”

All of the groups made a similar discovery. Within three blocks of each of those places there are no less than six churches. Why is it that more people are not going to those churches to find meaning in life? Maybe they’re not wanted there. Perhaps those churches aren’t asking the right questions in order to bring a relevant message to the people around them. The good news about Jesus trumps everything. It’s a message for all people everywhere. The apostle Paul went out among the masses of skeptics proclaiming true life in Christ. He was convinced that “God is never far from any one of us” (Acts 17:27) which is another way of saying, “He is closer than you think.” Jesus really is the answer. He is the King of the kingdom which is already among us. If he’s that close what can we do to help people look for him, reach for him, and find him?