What are you seeking? These four words were spoken by Jesus and was the first question that the gospel of John records Jesus asking to the apostle Andrew and another.
“Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?”–John 1:38a
An interesting question that he asks them, in His divine knowledge he knew that they were seeking something. We all are seeking something or many things. A relationship, a new career, a family, a degree, money, a party lifestyle, fame, a better body, entertainment, power, status, so many things can be listed. There are many things that we search for, but I think the question Jesus was asking was “what is the main thing you’re looking for in life?” What is the top priority in your life that you are searching for? Many times, people don’t even know what that is, like the U2 song “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.”
In the Bible God makes it clear the chief purpose of man is to seek after God. To seek Him to know Him and to follow Him is what we are called to do.
“And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,”–Acts 17:26-27
God wants all people to seek Him and if they seek Him with all their heart they will find Him.
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”–Jeremiah 29:13
The problem is most people don’t whole heartedly seek after God, they are distracted by the things of this world too busy to seek after the one who gives them life and breath, instead they chase after things that can never satisfy their soul as a relationship with Jesus can.
But what about Christians? For those who have been born again and accepted Jesus as their savior, are most Christian’s seeking after God? Yes, as Christian’s we have found God and know God, but does that mean the seeking after Him and pursuing Him to know Him better stops? Rather than a one-time event, seeking God is a lifelong pursuit of deepening our relationship with Him, and desiring to grow in our faith.
“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”–Psalm 105:4
As Christian’s we’re often guilty of seeking other things than God with more passion and energy. We believe the lies the enemy whispers in our ears telling us other things will bring us happiness and other things will give us fulfillment other than growing deeper with God. We believe the lie that we don’t need to be in Gods word everyday. We tell ourselves entertainment will satisfy us and mindless distractions will give us joy. Of coarse the truth is the living water is what satisfies our souls. The bread of life is what we need everyday
“Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”–John 6:35
When Israel was in the wilderness God fed them with fresh manna from heaven every morning. They were instructed to eat the manna daily and not store it up because it would soil. Gods intention was for the Israelites to trust Him daily. Manna fed the physical needs. Jesus the true Manna feeds or spiritual needs. We need to draw near daily.
Worldly distractions have always been present throughout time to distract people from God, but today we live in a time when screens and technology are at our fingertips and the temptation to spend endless hours on them is strong. Why should we distract ourselves with entertainment when we can commune with the living God who died for us to give us eternal life!
““Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.”–Isaiah 55:1-2
So what are you seeking? What is the thing you desire most in life? Do you long to grow in your relationship with Jesus? Or do you have worldly pursuits on your mind? Of course, not all worldly comforts and pursuits are bad, but the problem is when they take over our life and we pursue them with more time and passion than our pursuit of God. Will you let distractions get in your way of your pursuit of Jesus?
Look at what David says in the psalms,
He says knowing God gave him more joy than when others have abundant food and wine.
“You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.”–Psalm 4:7
David says Gods love is better than life itself
“So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.”-Psalm 63:2-3
David says his soul longed to be satisfied by seeking God and being near Him
“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? –Psalm 42:1-2
So what are you seeking after to satisfy your soul and give you joy? What else could ever satisfy the longings of the human heart than the one who created it. The one who created you made you for Himself. The one who died for you died to give you life in Him. Why should we neglect such a great salvation? Why should we neglect such a great God? So what are you seeking Christian? More of God or more of the world?
· Ryan Kaplysh