In the formative years of my new faith, In His steps, by
Robert Sheldon, challenged my idea of obedience.  It seemed simple, and
biblical, that every morning I would greet the day with a simple question,
‘what would Jesus do?’  It worked at first, but after a while, the drive
to obey seemed to ebb. More recently, I’ve been processing what it means to be
a quester, not just a follower.  The man who led me to Christ, Dave
Booram, in the first chapter of his new book, Wisdom for Old Souls;
mentions Ecclesiastics, verse one, “These are the words of the quester.”
Quester’s have more ‘quest’-ions than answers, seek deeper meaning to
scripture, over shallow dogma, and walk in darkness in search of
wisdom.   I know what you’re thinking, sign me up to be a
follower! 

Stay with me for a moment. If we follow God, this is good and right.
 He’s called us to take up our cross. However, to quest adds an element of
mystery, even danger, chances for lostness, and terror.  God has created
us children, not mechanical minions, and knows when to lead us in our innocence
onto a quester’s path. It’s the difference between a smooth theological trail,
and dense mysterious underbrush of unknown. To be a follower means we see a
path, to quest requires we discover the path in the first place. Both are steps
of obedience; both mean to obey with courageous dependence. However, to quest
has more to do with what God has given us, than what we have chosen for
ourselves.

More often than not, God will choose to test us, rather than allow us to
settle into a settled for posture.  He’s so wise this way.  An
example of the kinds of tests he allows are found through the pen of King
David, in Psalm 11, where we see God on the throne, watching to see how we
respond to the tests of arrows, earthquakes and examination. 

First, there are arrows.  The hard-pressed Christian is often assailed
by the enemy crouching in darkness, who shoot at the upright in heart. We have
the armor of God, yet when a crease forms, it seems they know exactly where to
strike.  These are the hits that double us over, and we lose our
breath.  Never a mortal wound, but it requires retreat into the arms of
the One on the throne. 

Then there are earthquakes.  The ground moves under foot, and we
stumble, nearly crumble in disbelief, self-pity, and fear. If you’ve ever been
through a real quake, you know nothing stands still, including you! These most
vulnerable times require retreat to the One stable, the one the scriptures say
reclines and sets his feet upon the earth. 

Finally, there is examination. What’s happening at Asbury University, and
other colleges has a whiff of this.  Students are falling under the gaze
of a holy God, and they are undone, repenting, and exalting over the kindness
of a King who knows the deepest secrets of the heart.   

In each case, the test isn’t the trial, it’s our willingness to retreat to
the throne. 

Which leads us to the first Quester, silenced on a cross of wood, cruelly
tortured and innocently killed for the sake of you and me. When we approach
life as a quester, in Jesus Name, we are truly walking in his steps. 
There will be nothing to stand in the way of our heart’s pounding in the
presence of Love, receiving what the world is starving for, and out of
courageous dependence, bringing love to those lost and alone all around us.