Recalculating! Recalculating! Enter round-about and take second exit, then when possible, make a U-turn.
Our Garmin Nuvi gps (who I like to call Greta), is not happy. We have made a wrong turn on our journey to find the Burz Eltz Castle in Germany. We are seeking, but have obviously make a huge error in our understanding of her instructions. We pull over and regroup, look at our old-fashioned paper map, reassess where we think we are and try again. While this scenario relates to our travel experience and driving in an unfamiliar territory, it applies to our day-to-day life as well.
The dictionary describes a “seeker” as one who seeks. Someone searching or looking; primarily for truth. But I would venture to say that there are many in today’s crazy world that seek, but in reality have no idea what they are looking for or where to find it. They are on a quest to find something that brings them fulfillment and happiness. Something is missing and they are looking and searching for… what? They are like tourists traveling in a foreign land without a compass, map or gps; just driving and taking a turn this way and that, hoping that in the end they will reach some place and discover what they desire. And like the old country song, “they are looking in all the wrong places.”
Scripture uses some form of the word seek over three hundred times. In one case it was as the children of Israel were preparing to finally enter the Promised Land and Moses gave them some last words of wisdom.
Deuteronomy 4:29, “But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
In other words, God is always there waiting for us to meet Him, look for Him, seek His presence. But it’s not a physical thing, it’s a heart and soul seeking. It is up to us to stop what we’re doing in the world and seek Him in His dwelling place. This verse has a “do this” and “then this” will happen. Seek Him and then you will find Him. But we have to seek with the right heart and soul motive.
Later in the New Testament, probably the most recognized verse on seeking is Matthew 6:33,
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Jesus said that!
Seek first! But where do we start. When I am planning a trip, I always spend some time researching where I want to go, what I want to see and then figure out the best way to get there. Most of the time this process works and I can achieve my goal and reach my destination.
But if what we are seeking is spiritual in sense, we can’t just pull out our gps and enter in the word “happiness” or “God”. Where can we go to chart our path to God?
He has given us two tools way better than any gps.
1. First; His word, the Bible, to give us a travel plan of action. Like a map! Open it. Read it. It’s all in there.
2. Second, the Holy Spirit, to help guide us along the way so we don’t get lost. It is the Holy Spirit that says to us, “Recalculating, you’ve made a wrong turn.”
But the first step is up to us. We have desire to seek Him. We have to recognize in our heart and soul that we need Him, want Him and are willing to make the effort to seek Him.
And what do we find when we get there? What is our reward for seeking the Lord with all our heart and soul? For me personally it’s an assurance and a peace that is beyond anything offered by the world. It doesn’t mean that life is perfect, it just means that life matters and in the end I choose to seek and cling to this most beloved and precious chapter of Psalm.
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23
Amen…arriving at destination… in your heart.
Loved reading your post. Such a wonderful idea for the writing. Wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much Helen. I appreciate your kind words.
I enjoyed your perspective. Thank you.
Andrea
http://www.hopeannfaith.com
Thanks so much Andrea. And thanks for the recent friend request…best of luck with your new site.
Thank you Connie. It’s not a new site … I’ve had my blogs since 2007, I think. =) Revamping it with the domain name, I realized there are a LOT of archives! I think the 31 day free write cause me to reevaluate what I really wanted to do with them. I’m excited. And thanks for accepting.
Connie! This post really hit me! I enjoyed reading your perspective on what seeking means and where to start!
You know, sometimes when we seek, we don’t always like what we find either, but in that, God wants to show us something – I truly believe that!
Thank you for your honesty and thank you for being a part of my Tuesday at Ten link up.. I love reading your posts 🙂
This gave me something to think of today … and for that I am blessed by your vulnerability to write it.
Karen, thank you for your comment. I agree that there are times in our life when we seek and then are “surprised” or “disappointed” at what we find at the end. God has a way of teaching us and refining us constantly through all situations. I appreciate your willingness to captain the Tuesday at Ten outreach. It truly is a blessing to many.