By Oluwaseyi Ige

I’ve always loved Kirk Franklin. I still do. He’s my all-time favorite artiste, without apology.
Especially his early albums. And “Whatcha Lookin’ 4” from his album Whatcha Lookin’ 4 is one of those songs that never really leaves you. It’s energetic, catchy, and deeply honest. But beyond the groove, it carries a question that refuses to stay in the background.

What are you looking for?

Franklin’s message is simple but weighty. People are searching. Some are looking for love. Others want peace. Some are chasing success, validation, or just relief from the pressure of life. Then the song turns and boldly declares that what you are searching for is already found in Christ.

That message did not start in the 90s. It goes all the way back to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.

In John 1:38, Jesus notices two men following Him. He turns and asks them, “What are you looking for?” It is the first recorded question He asks in that Gospel. Not a sermon. Not a miracle. A question.

That question still stands.

People followed Jesus for many reasons then, and not much has changed now. Some followed Him for miracles, like the crowd in John 6:26 who were more interested in bread than truth. Some followed Him out of curiosity. Some wanted healing. Some wanted power. Very few understood who He truly was.

Even today, people come to Christ for different reasons. Some come because they are in trouble. Some want a breakthrough. Some want direction. Some just want things to work.

But Jesus does not start by giving answers. He starts by asking you to define your pursuit.

“What are you looking for?”

It is a simple question, but it demands honesty. Because if you do not know what you are looking for, you may not recognize it when you find it. Proverbs 4:23 says to guard your heart, because everything you do flows from it. That includes what you seek.

The two men in John 1 did not give a perfect answer. They asked where He was staying. In other words, they wanted to be with Him. That was enough to begin. Jesus told them, “Come and see.”

That is the call.

Not just to admire. Not just to observe. But to come closer.

So this is where the music fades and the question becomes personal.

Why are you following Christ?

Is it for what He can give, or for who He is?

Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” That is not casual searching. That is intentional pursuit.

Take a moment and answer honestly. Strip away what sounds spiritual. Strip away what you think is the right response.

What are you really looking for?

Define it. Name it. Be honest about it.

Because until you do, your walk with Christ may remain shallow, distracted, or confusing.

But when your pursuit becomes clear, your direction becomes clearer too.

And somewhere along that journey, you will discover that the answer you were searching for is not a thing.

It is a person.

And He is already asking you the question.

Oluwaseyi Ige is a media consultant, communication strategist, and the Chief Operating Officer of
Jabbok Media Services.
An associate pastor at TBC Kubwa and a youth missionary, he previously served as the Media and Communications Coordinator
for Youth for Christ (YFC) Nigeria. He is the founder of Quantum of Grace, an outreach ministry, and the author of
Still Becoming and
Digital Loneliness.
His latest work, Becoming You, is a personal guide helping the next generation navigate the identity fight
and build a life of impact. You can catch up with him on
radio.