It began in the Garden: that desire for something else. “When the woman saw…she took…and gave…”. Here was a woman who literally had it all- a world of perfection, her husband’s undivided attention and personal communication with God- and it wasn’t enough. So she reached up and took the fruit.

We are surrounded by examples of that reaching, grasping, desperation for more. It’s even within our own hearts. And just like everything in this distorted world I wonder what part of that reaching is insidious and what part is meant to be.

If we were to look closely at nature, we would see how many elements are persistent in their reach for more: seedlings reach upward for sustenance, vines reach broadly for space, birds’ wings reach for air streams, horses’ hooves reach for speed. There is a drive in all things living for more. And mankind is no different. We all long for better air to breathe. We stagnate if we are not reaching. The question is- for what are we reaching?

Plants and animals instinctively move towards what nourishes and meets their physical needs: the sun, better food and water sources, places of safety. The human is a bit more complex. We have a mind and emotions that beg for fulfillment and the means of fulfillment are not always so obvious. Sometimes they appear good but are so only temporarily. The Tower of Babel comes to mind; the place where mankind reached for the heavens out of a greedy desire for their own divinity.

That need to reach is not entirely wrong, however. It is instilled in us so that we will lift our hands to the one worth reaching for. The woman with the issue of blood reached for Jesus and was healed. Mary Magdalene reached for Jesus and heard her name spoken from His lips. When we reach for Him He will lift our burdens and carry them. Let’s reach out and taste and see that He alone is good and remember that He reached for us first. And once we have tasted of His goodness let us give it to others.