Luke JohnsonIn this year of our Lord 2024, I may only be in my mid-twenties when my birthday comes around, but I believe I speak of things which are true. I grew up in the mountains and meadows of Eastern Oregon, enjoying all the beauty of God's creation. While ortions of my life have been spent elsewhere, the basaltic hilltop outcroppings and aromatic sage bushes have always felt like home. Life in Eastern Oregon more simple compared to many other places, but I believe that is one of its strongest assets. It allows one to think and reflect. I have traveled and seen different cities and regions in the Western United States and I can attest to the idiom that, "when you have seen one, you have seen them all" in reference to large metropolises. A very important thing that is often neglected in the world these days is for people to sit and watch other people. Not just at the mall or grocery store, but in personal life as well. Too often we make assumptions without actually getting to know the people we believe are our closest friends and family. I must admit I have been influenced by the characteristic of Sherlock Holmes' deductive reasoning and I believe it to be very beneficial to daily life. Coupled with deduction however, as also learned by Sherlock Holmes, is the necessity of empathy. I believe the two are not entirely distinct from one another, as often believed, but are merely separated by the conscious and subconscious minds. These skills allow a person to understand another at a level deeper than their superficial masks and dive into the inner workings of their experiences. In this way, I have a passionate desire to understand the God of the universe. The Living God, the Holy God. The God of the Bible: the Lord Jesus Christ. There are many questions surrounding Him, and not all can be answered. However, it is better to try, knowing the end is unachievable, than to sit having never dared entered the sea, forgoing all the riches of it. A person can sail an ocean and appreciate its beauty and life, without ever diving miles into it. But, even a short dive to the coral reefs of the world unveil more beauty and intricacy than is visible above the waves. So, in this way, I hope to be a sort of pearl diver. If I can dive down and discover more about God, perhaps I can bring back token of enrichment to share with others. Maybe they themselves will be enticed to search out the riches and glory found in God's perspective. Read More Read Less