Golden retrievers have a way of making you feel you are the most exciting, wonderful, perfect (and their favorite) person in the whole world! Lilly fit that bill. Adored by all her neighbors since the first day they tried to walk their new ball of fur, she won our hearts. She always made me laugh, so I called her Silly Lilly.
Until July 5. “LILLY IS MISSING!” posters were plastered everywhere. My heart sank. Freaked out by the fireworks, she panicked and ran. Prayers went up. I know her family was sick with grief. Everyone was searching for Lilly. With all their hearts!
When I came across this verse recently, it caught my attention:
You will seek me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jer. 29:13)
I’d heard this many times, but never paused to ponder what it might mean to me. The amazing truth is that God WANTS us to find Him! He isn’t hiding out hoping we can figure out how to find Him or please Him. The irony here is not that God is lost, but that WE are. In fact, as Jesus, He became one of us, taking the punishment we deserve for our sins, and waits – longs – for us to turn to Him. He won’t force anyone to believe.
So I asked myself 3 questions:
- Do you WANT to find God?
It still surprises me, and saddens me, that many people do not want God. I can’t even imagine what life now (or in eternity) would be like without Him.
- Where are you looking?
This world offers a lot of counterfeit god-like attractions, many of which might be good but still fall vastly short of God Himself. Only in His Word (the Bible) can we find His truth. The more we read and hear His Word, the more our faith grows. And day and night His mighty power and deity are displayed for all to see in His amazing creation.
- How will you know if/when you’ve found Him?
Because finding and knowing God is a supernatural phenomenon, there are no simple formulas, religious rituals, or 3 easy steps. The key is our heart. An intimate relationship with the God of the universe requires trusting Him with all of our heart.
Since He promises to indwell believers with His Holy Spirit, you may find yourself more loving, peaceful, and joyful (see Galatians 5:22). And since it is a relationship, you will find yourself talking with Him about everything, and learning to listen. You might start to sing more. And notice His love messages to you through His written Word, His creation, or people.
Because God is infinite, we will have eternity to get to know Him more and more. He has put a hunger and thirst in us to increasingly delight in Him! As the song goes, “We’ve only just begun.” 🙂
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Guess who I saw walking down the street on July 7th? Lilly was found! Their heartfelt search was successful! And Lilly had the biggest smile I’ve ever seen! 🙂
You will seek me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jer. 29:13)
