We are all life-builders.  We are constantly building our bodies, our personalities, our intellects, our relationships.  And often we convince ourselves that we consist of all of these things that we have developed.  Yet, deep within there is a restlessness and longing for something more, something that touches deep in our hearts.  This restlessness can move us past our apprehensions and cause us to do things uncharacteristic of the life we have built.  This restlessness calls us to a greater good.

      This is the same as the story of Zaccheus.  Zaccheus has established his life as a tax-collector, who built his life around dishonesty and money.  Even though he wasn't the purest of men, often gaining his wealth at the expense of others, he still had that same restlessness in his heart.  That restlessness caused him to break away from the life he was living, and climb a tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus.  Not only did Zaccheus catch a glimpse of Jesus, but Jesus also saw Zaccheus.  This experience sparks a change in Zaccheus' heart.  He realizes that life at its core, is more than the life he has built around stockpiling of wealth.  Hence forth Zaccheus is willing to give up all of his wealth, because he has found that his restlessness is known, appreciated, and understood by God.

     Is it possible that the restlessness inside each of us is God calling us to break away from the societal norms? Is there something deeper than the life that each of us is living?  Is God calling you to a special purpose?   Some of the best tools to help you discover why you are restless can be obvious things, like prayer and the sacraments, or something as simple as asking questions to your parish priest.  There is a restlessness inside each of us, but it is up to you to discover what the restlessness in your heart means.

       -A. Steele