Wandering Man

This is the story of a wandering man
who found his way across the land
in search of himself, what his life was about,
what values he treasured, ones to leave out.
He inquired of strangers, passers-by
the source of their joys, what caused them to cry.
What touches the heart? What intrigues your mind?
What prompts you to live as one truthful and kind?

He collected responses, sorted them all,
looked for the places his eye would fall
as he found the common hopes and dreams,
the deepest desires of human beings.
And high on the list, compiled that day,
was the common word he heard them say:
“Love like you’ve never loved before;
when you reach your limit, offer more.
Give what you have until all is gone;
offer the world a new, different song.
Live in peace; think with our heart;
where there is need, be the first to start
efforts to address the sorrow or pain:
do it once, then do it again and again.
And you will be a happy man.

So the wandering man, in search of life’s joy,
began to live, to think, to employ
all the responses that filled his notes,
and then, in summary, he humbly wrote:
“Do unto others as you want done to you.”
This is the treasure; my search is through.

He is no longer known as the Wandering Man.
He decided there is just one single plan
to determine the deepest meaning of life;
that each day was a measure of goodness and strife.
That there was one way to see him through:
just ask of life: “What would Jesus do?”
The answer would address all days and nights,
moments when truth was challenged by might;
when honor was left in the hot desert sun,
when streams of mercy refused to run.
To all who wander in search and quest,
there is only one way, one that is best:
Love without thought of profit or gain;
love without limit, let love be the same
for every person, no restrictions apply;
love until you understand why
doing to others as you wish done to you
is the ancient word that is forever true.

Wander no more. The quest is done.
Now simply wonder at all God has done.
“Do unto others…” is the perfect way
to encounter life’s meaning day after day.