Seeking after God. It’s a concept we come across frequently in scripture. But God is Spirit; he’s invisible to us. How do we seek after someone we can’t see?
Perhaps we can answer that question by considering the ways we seek a person, who can be seen.
Example #1:
When my husband, Steve, and I are separated in a crowd, it’s quite amazing how quickly I can spot him. Beyond height, hair, and eye color, I know the breadth of his shoulders, the way the hair grows on the back of his head, the shape of his ears. In fact, it’s such nuances as these that draw my attention, even more than the descriptors listed on his driver’s license.
Perhaps our first step in seeking God is to get to know what he looks like, although not his physical Being, since he’s chosen not to reveal himself that way. But as we read his Word, the Bible, we become familiar with who he is. Through frequent, thoughtful study—not occasional reading—we learn about his character and his ways. One guiding question can train us to seek God as we study: What does this passage teach me about God?
Example #2:
Sometimes I find Steve in a crowd when I hear his voice or the timbre of his laugh.
Step two in seeking God: We can listen carefully for his voice, although he rarely chooses to speak audibly. More often he communicates his wisdom and encouragement to us through the Bible, and the voices of wise and mature Christians—spoken and written.
God also speaks directly into our spirits, so we must cultivate the habit of listening carefully for strong but silent impressions. We can ask God to make clear if those thoughts are indeed from him. He will affirm.
Example #3:
I know Steve’s signature. Give me a sheaf of papers with Steve’s name written by different people, and his distinctive style will stand out from the others.
Step three in seeking God: Look for his distinctive signature of wisdom and power in his people and in God-incidents.
Even in creation, “God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made” (Romans 1:19).
Take note of the slow loops of a circling hawk, the graceful curve of a flower stem, the straight, tall sentries of a pine forest. Pay attention to the perfect oval of a ladybug, the teardrop shape of a milkweed seed, or the mounds of clouds in a summer sky. You’ll soon find that God loves variety, pattern, organization, beauty, intricacy, and color. Your heart will begin to respond with wonder and praise for your magnificent, powerful God.
Example #4:
Steve doesn’t even have to be with me, and my thoughts will turn to him. A song, a phrase, a person who reminds me of someone from our past, and I think, “Oh, Steve would like this,” or, “I’ll bet Steve would agree he looks just like So-and-So.”
Just looking down at my new Mother’s Day watch, and I’m reminded of my thoughtful, generous husband.
Step four in seeking God: As we get to know God through the Bible, as we learn to hear his voice, as we see his signature everywhere, we find our thoughts turning to him throughout the day. A song may urge a response of praise. A phrase might prompt a prayer, a person’s gracious kindness causes us to reflect upon his character shining through that individual.
And every blessing should result in gratitude.
Seeking God is an ongoing, progressional process. Awareness of his presence grows slowly yet continually. Perhaps God planned it that way so we always have more delights to discover about our Heavenly Father until we do see him face to face.
Seeking after God can begin with a simple prayer: God, I want to know you more intimately, to sense your presence even though I can’t physically see you. And I want you to be an integral part of my life and thoughts. Nothing could be more satisfying than a close relationship with you. This is what I seek.
That’s my prayer. Will you seek God with me? What steps have helped you to seek after God?
(Art & photo credits: www.experienceproject.com; http://www.luddite1811.blogspot.com; http://www.revelife.com; http://www.finartamerica.com; www.hullquist.com.)
