Seek

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Matthew 7:7

After multiple discussions about the scriptures and God, a friend asked me, “How do I really find God?” They were a bit taken aback when I offered a simple two word answer—seek Him. I explained that God was not hiding from them, it was the other way around.

But God is invisible. So, where does a person begin looking for God? First, don’t confuse invisible with imaginary or unreal. Some of the most powerful forces on earth cannot be seen directly. Jesus used the wind as an example. We cannot see it, but we feel it and see its actions. Yet not one considers the wind a figment of the imagination.

Here’s the thing about seeking. If you are seeking God simply to prove or disprove He exists, chances are you will find neither result. God is found by those who want to know Him. If you want to know peace, love, or hope and you think God may be the source, you will encounter Him. The encounter may not begin as love, peace or hope because God gives those things after we surrender, not before.

There’s an interesting scene in the movie, Forrest Gump. Lt. Dan is raging at God in the midst of a storm. He's angry and blames God for his life not working out as planned. He’s ready to do battle with God and challenges God to show up. Though the movie doesn’t say Lt. Dan was saved, he’s a changed man from that moment on.

Strangely enough, I have seen this happen in real life. A man determined to have it out with God over the blows life had dealt him, went out into the woods for a meeting with God. He returned from his meeting saved and at peace with hope for his future. Last time I saw him, he was a minster of the Gospel.

Sincerity is the key to a successful search for God. God told the nation of Israel through the prophet Jeremiah, Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD:  

Like the wind, God may be found wherever a seeker is present. He is not hiding from you. He’s waiting for you at the place where your heart steps out of hiding and hears Him.

Maranatha