The More We Seek

As I am sitting here in worship this morning, I am listening to The More I Seek You, and I thought what a simple concept. The more we seek, the more we find. So why is it so hard for us to grasp that concept sometimes?

“Then, you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” - Jeremiah 29:12-13

Just as the lyrics in this song say, the more we seek, the more we find. The more we find, the more we love him and it got me thinking, what else are we seeking? What else are we finding and are these things leading to loving the Lord more, or the world?

We live in a world today where seeking the world is the standard. We are told to seek after money, after entertainment, after sports, after the next viral trend, and we have completely lost the one thing that we are commanded to do.

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” - Mark 12:30

These words from Jesus in Mark tell us to love the Lord your God with everything. If we are not seeking the Lord, how are we finding him? If we are not finding the Lord, how are we to uphold this commandment to love him?

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” - Romans 12:2

The world has a way of dangling things in front of our face that make us want to chase or seek after it. Not everything looks dark and evil. Most of the time these things present themselves as good. Why wouldn’t we seek after these things that may promise to prosper us? But with seeking these things, there comes a price. A price that not many of us may realize.

“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” - James 1:14-15

This is a hard truth from James, but it is one that needs to be said. All throughout scripture the Lord reveals the truth to his people, that we are not to conform to this world. That it is evil, dark, and we are to abstain from being a part of it. If we sit back and examine all that we seek throughout our lives, most of the time these things do not look bad, and 90% of the time they aren't. It’s only when we seek these things above seeking the Lord. It’s when we make more time for these areas in our lives, than we do the Lord. This is where the sin comes in. This is where we run into idolatry.

“Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted work, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” - James 1:21-22
 
I have a note in my bible that I put next to this verse that says “Do the do’s” and in my Fire Bible, a note under this verse reads, “We deceive ourselves if we think that being exposed to Bible teachings and Christian ministry is enough to keep us in a right relationship with God. We can be involved in all kinds of church activity and ministry and know a lot of God’s Word, but if we do not put that Word into practice, all of our activity and knowledge is meaningless.”

The Bible mentions the word “seek” 204 times. Going back and looking at all of these, it is used one of two ways: what to seek and what not to seek. Emphasizing the importance of prioritizing God in our lives.

So, when it comes to seeking, are we truly seeking the Lord with everything? Are we waking up and putting him at the center of our day? Are we following the commands and teachings in our Word? These questions, though tough, are questions we need to ask ourselves. Is there any area in our lives that we are seeking more than the Lord? If there is, then we need to consider James’s words. Those desires that are enticing us and luring us, once conceived, bring death.

So to encourage you all who are reading this blog, there is hope. Going back to Romans 12:2 - Paul tells us to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. This is something that we have to do constantly. It is here where we can shift our gaze and look to the Lord. Where we can walk by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). The world is filled with temptations that want to take our attention away from the Lord. It wants us to seek the things of it, and not seek the things of the Kingdom. But with a renewed mind, we can begin to see clearly and begin to seek the Lord more.

Take some time throughout your week to ponder on the ways the world is trying to get you to seek after it. Pray and ask the Lord to show you these areas that you may be pouring more time into than stepping into your tent time with the Lord. If you are bold enough, ask him to examine your heart and point out those areas. Repent to the Lord if there are any areas in your lives where you have fallen into this temptation. He commands us to love him with everything and above everything, but it starts with seeking him first. The more we seek him, the more we find him. The more we find him, the more we love him.

“But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him. Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” - 1 John 1:5-6

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Lord, I thank you for your Word and your promise that the more we seek you, the more we will find you. I thank you that in a world that is filled with temptations and desires, you give us the power and authority to stand firm and not seek after these things. Lord, I pray that as we go throughout our days, that you reveal these areas in our lives that we may be putting before you. Point out those areas that we are seeking more than seeking you. Draw us to repentance and help us to remain in our tents, to not grow weary, and give us the strength to abide in your commandments. Help us to walk in the same way that you walked. Seeking first the Kingdom of God. Amen.