Seeking God

Remember
Ukraine

Astico Gardens
Acaia, NP 

“Come,” my heart says,
“seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, do I seek.

(from Psalm 27)

 I clearly remember the time I told the church I was giving up chocolate for Lent. Immediately after the service a little girl approached me and said, "I hate chocolate!!!" 

What followed was an organized effort to have as many chocolate goodies at Coffee Time as possible. Pastor, are you going to yield to temptation?

I don't buy into sacrificing something for Lent that society tells us we need. 

Instead, I see Lent as looking at my spiritual life and asking what needs attention?

 

Is it "search the Scriptures" through Bible reading and study?

Is it acts social justice as Micah 6:8 points out?

Our urge to seek the Lord comes from an awareness of distance. We are aware that we haven't fully completed our spiritual journey in to "the house of the Lord."

Compare a journey to my physical trials. I have an issue with balance which means I walk well on smooth surfaces, but when walking on rough places, such as my lawn, I need a walking stick. 

In other words, I see a Cristian journey as having smooth places with an easier journey and rough places requiring more determination and assistance. Our journey has places where we have to lean on something.

Each of us has to draw on our own inner resources of faith going through the rough places as well as celebrating the smooth places

Our hope and strength are in knowing God is with us.

The poet of the Psalm 27 shares encouragement saying: 

    For in the day of trouble

    he will keep me safe in his dwelling.

And then again:

    I remain confident of this:

    I will see the goodness of the Lord

    In the land of the living.

The poet reminds us, from personal experience, that when seeking the Lord's face, God is with us.