'Seek God' is a phrase that has been in my reading and my thoughts a lot lately.
I want to follow King David's instructions:
"Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God." (1 Chronicles 22:19)
I'm still figuring out what it means to truly Seek God.
One thing I quickly worked out is that if I'm Seeking God, I can't hold on tight to my own agenda. If I'm seeking His Kingdom then I want God, not me, to be King of my life.
Most of the time I find myself seeking to fulfil my own desires. My desires might involve helping others; but they are usually more about wanting to feel good about myself than they are about bringing glory to God. Many of the things I want in life aren't wrong. But when I seek these things more than I seek God, then there's a problem.
*I know it's important to pay attention to my feelings (for instance, it's usually my feelings that let me know when I've been overdoing things). But my feelings are not my king; God is. Obeying him matters more than doing what I think will make me feel good.
When I'm Seeking God, I'll stop and consider what I really need to be doing, rather than automatically doing what my feelings suggest is most important.
*When I see someone who is struggling I want to help them, perhaps even try to fix them.
When I'm Seeking God I'll first bring my concerns to him. I'll be happy, not uncomfortable, if God brings healing in a way that doesn't involve my own practical involvement.
*I have dreams for the future of how I might serve God.
When I'm Seeking God, I'll trust and wait on his timing, rather than forging ahead immediately with my own ideas.
*There are people I'd like to know better.
When I'm Seeking God, I'll let him bring people into my life in the way he chooses. I'll offer my friendship, but without forcing my own agenda.
*I like interesting challenges; I like solving problems; I like talking about different situations and scenarios. But my life also involves non-exciting challenges, and less stimulating conversations. Life involves wiping the table, and cleaning children's teeth and listening to stories of what has been achieved on computer games.
When I'm Seeking God, rather than my own desires, I'll willingly wipe, clean and listen at the times I need to, rather than let myself get distracted by more stimulating communication. (And even as I was typing that, I initially ignored my preschooler who had come to me in tears wanting attention after being hurt!)
So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)
The food, drink and clothes mentioned above are essential to life on earth. Most of the things I get worked up about are not things that I need, but rather things that I want. I think the solution is probably the same though: Seek His kingdom and His righteousness, and let God bless me in the way He chooses.
Obviously Seeking God isn't a formula for getting what I want. However, in my own life I've been delighted to see that many times when I've surrendered a desire to him, he's fulfilled it in wonderful ways that I never even hoped for. Sometimes what I seek does turn out to be what God wants; but how much better it is to let him do it his way and in his timing than to rely completely on my own solution.
When frustration sinks in during daily life and I'm tempted to dwell on my own desires, I've been gently telling myself, "Seek Him".
I want to follow King David's instructions:
"Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God." (1 Chronicles 22:19)
I'm still figuring out what it means to truly Seek God.
One thing I quickly worked out is that if I'm Seeking God, I can't hold on tight to my own agenda. If I'm seeking His Kingdom then I want God, not me, to be King of my life.
Most of the time I find myself seeking to fulfil my own desires. My desires might involve helping others; but they are usually more about wanting to feel good about myself than they are about bringing glory to God. Many of the things I want in life aren't wrong. But when I seek these things more than I seek God, then there's a problem.
*I know it's important to pay attention to my feelings (for instance, it's usually my feelings that let me know when I've been overdoing things). But my feelings are not my king; God is. Obeying him matters more than doing what I think will make me feel good.
When I'm Seeking God, I'll stop and consider what I really need to be doing, rather than automatically doing what my feelings suggest is most important.
*When I see someone who is struggling I want to help them, perhaps even try to fix them.
When I'm Seeking God I'll first bring my concerns to him. I'll be happy, not uncomfortable, if God brings healing in a way that doesn't involve my own practical involvement.
*I have dreams for the future of how I might serve God.
When I'm Seeking God, I'll trust and wait on his timing, rather than forging ahead immediately with my own ideas.
*There are people I'd like to know better.
When I'm Seeking God, I'll let him bring people into my life in the way he chooses. I'll offer my friendship, but without forcing my own agenda.
*I like interesting challenges; I like solving problems; I like talking about different situations and scenarios. But my life also involves non-exciting challenges, and less stimulating conversations. Life involves wiping the table, and cleaning children's teeth and listening to stories of what has been achieved on computer games.
When I'm Seeking God, rather than my own desires, I'll willingly wipe, clean and listen at the times I need to, rather than let myself get distracted by more stimulating communication. (And even as I was typing that, I initially ignored my preschooler who had come to me in tears wanting attention after being hurt!)
So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)
The food, drink and clothes mentioned above are essential to life on earth. Most of the things I get worked up about are not things that I need, but rather things that I want. I think the solution is probably the same though: Seek His kingdom and His righteousness, and let God bless me in the way He chooses.
Obviously Seeking God isn't a formula for getting what I want. However, in my own life I've been delighted to see that many times when I've surrendered a desire to him, he's fulfilled it in wonderful ways that I never even hoped for. Sometimes what I seek does turn out to be what God wants; but how much better it is to let him do it his way and in his timing than to rely completely on my own solution.
When frustration sinks in during daily life and I'm tempted to dwell on my own desires, I've been gently telling myself, "Seek Him".
Thank you Clare. We know it is the right way, and we long to do it, but so often I forget. Thank you for giving m the resolve to try again. Love and prayer for you all xx
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