What are you looking for? In the “right now”? In this New Year? In life in general?

This pause-worthy question is posed to us by Jesus in the first chapter of the Gospel of John. We read that Jesus “turned and saw them [John’s two disciples] following him” and asked this very question.

“When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me.”

Perhaps Jesus had wandered down a lonely alley to lead them to a quiet place — or even further, out into the desert. We don’t really know. I love that Jesus stopped, turned around and caught them following Him.

Their hearts must have been pounding. Imagine curiously sneaking after Jesus because your heart is so on fire after seeing Him pass by — only to have Him surprise you and ask, “What are you looking for?”

The seeker is suddenly being sought — the loving gaze that embraced their fears, the warmth and depth of His voice, the same voice that called the sun, moon and stars into being. To think of it!

He invited them to “come along,” and they did. That simple invitation forever changed their lives, and should ours as well. They followed Him and brought others to follow after Him, too.

Related: ‘I’m Not Religious, I’m Just Spiritual’

I know for myself the answer to “What are you looking for?” seems to have changed over the years. Truthfully, though, the answer, in its essence, is always the same: Jesus.

Again and again, I have thought that I was after one thing, only to find that it was Jesus and His ways that were truly what I was seeking. I have kicked and screamed and demanded my own way, only to discover “my way” leaving me with a handful of smoke — an illusion of what I truly was seeking.

When I give into the way, the loving ways of my Lord, my life is full and satisfying. It works beautifully. He blesses it beyond my wildest dreams because my heart and soul are at peaceful rest as I turn to Him and stop searching for “other.”

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I have been challenged to pray the rosary every day of 2017, and if not the whole rosary, then one decade or at the very least, one Hail Mary. Why do I bring this up? Because the Blessed Mother always points us to Jesus. And with her she brings a powerful and persuasive presence.

Related: The Day the Rosary Was Her Only Refuge

I will be asking friends, family, people I meet to say a Hail Mary with me. We can all pray together.

John’s disciples were seeking “the Lamb of God” – the One Who takes away our sins and makes our life work, and the One who brings fullness of joy, peace and love.

What are you after? Let’s seek Him, as they did, with their determined drive and deep desire to follow Him. Join me in this quest. Let’s pray and ask the Blessed Mother to turn our hearts to Jesus.

“When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me” (Jeremiah 29:13-14).

My intention for this prayer is that my heart’s desire be seeking Him above all other people or things in 2017 and that I would know that He is enough.

“Hail Mary, full of grace. Our Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

Melissa Overmyer is the founder of Something Greater Ministries in Washington, D.C., and has been teaching the Bible for over 30 years.