Day 83 "To What Do You Seek?"

There is a story of a young couple journeying through a forest heading to make a new life in the town ahead. About halfway through the woods, they came upon a wise-looking sage sitting upon a large rock. "Excuse me," inquired the husband, "but can you tell me what the people are like in the town just ahead?" Opening his eyes, the sage asked, "What were the people like where you just came from?" "Oh, they were wonderful. They really cared about who you were and helped out whenever they could. They were really, really, good friends," the wife responded. With a smile, the sage remarked, "And so are the people ahead." Later in the day, another couple passing through the woods also came upon the same sage. "Could you tell us what the people are like ahead in the next town?" they inquired. Again the sage questioned, "What were the people like where you are coming from? "Oh, they were mean and selfish. No one really cared about one another." The sage hesitated a moment, and then replied, "I'm sad to say that you will find the same people ahead."

There is an old saying that states: Look for the best in people, and you will find it. Look for the worst, you will find that, too! When it comes to ourselves, we spend little time really trying to understand what makes us act and respond the way that we do. It's seems so much easier to look at other people and presume that we can discern correctly what is good or bad about them. But for ourselves, we seldom slow down long enough to really search our hearts and minds to ask ourselves where are we headed and why do we want to get there? Self honesty is often clouded by a heart that is deceitful in its nature.

"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Jeremiah 17:9

The Chinese Philosopher, Lao Tzu, is attributed with the saying, " The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Many of us may move out in a direction, but unbeknownst to most of us, we march more in the steps of the masses and not to the sound of our own heart-beat-that which makes us unique and moves us to fulfill our own calling in life. So, I raise up the question for you to ponder for yourself,"To what do you seek?" To "seek" is a great action verb-concise but descriptive-meaning "to find," "to obtain or achieve," or to "ask from someone." To seek, provides direction to one's movement rather then moving about aimlessly. Most motivational speakers address success from a worldly point of view and describe one's personal goals as "the engine" and one's passion, the desire to achieve those goals, as "the fuel" which runs the engine. Both are vital in the equation of achieving one's personal success. So much so, that it is highly recommended to put one's goals out in clear sight so one can visually see the goals each day and to keep them ever more in front of one's thoughts.

But when it comes to our spiritual lives, the journey takes us in a different direction. Rather than outward, the journey moves us inward into ourselves. Whereas the journey of success in this life is more about achieving and accomplishing, the spiritual journey is more about listening, surrendering and following. In spiritual realm, "least" is greater, "to give" far exceeds what one would take, and " to submit" is far more honorable and valuable than "to command" and "to lead."

As you continue to ponder what you seek, may I invite you to hear Jesus' open invitation to anyone who would venture to impart upon a journey with him:

"Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

If you seek peace,

" Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

If you seek eternal life,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

"For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:40

If you seek forgiveness and a second chance in life,

"Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Acts 2:38

"But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known,"

Romans 3:21

"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe."

Romans 3:22

"and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:24

If you seek out that which is eternal apart from that which is temporary,

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18

If you seek out that which is spiritual,

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2

If you seek a relationship with God,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Matthew 11:28-30

If you seek for your life to be important,

"Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:39

Where is your life's journey taking you? The Bible is God's communication with us, his creation. If you are reading this and feel like your life is going no where, or you feel like you have messed everything up and have made all the wrong choices, then come to the feet of the Master and Savior, Jesus, himself, and listen to his words. Read one of the gospels- Matthew or John-to see what he has to say and allow him to show you his heart. Let him open up your mind to understand and your eyes to see things from God's point of view. The shortness of this life has been described as a "puff of smoke" and then it is over and gone. The older we become, the more noteworthy this likeness becomes. The significance of living is not found in the destination, but in the journey itself. The ultimate journey in life is all about experiencing a relationship with God, the one who created the whole universe and who desires to love you and to love others through you. It is one heck of a journey if you are willing to let go of "oneself", and let God take over and drive!

To what do you seek?

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"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

In his love, see you tomorrow....

"Carpe Momentum in Love" (Seize the moment in love)