Seek Christ

 John 18:4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

Last week while sitting in Bible study, I read John 18 in Portuguese and was delighted to see Jesus not hide from those that sought Him.  He wasn't being sought for good reasons in this chapter, but it was something that had to come to pass for the salvation of the world.  He had to be sought. 

Women have expressed to me their desire to know God better, but many have said that they don't feel comfortable studying God's Word and they can't understand It.  I always feel sad when someone says they don't understand the Bible.  Let me tell you something, I am not the brightest crayon in the box and I am not known for being intelligent.  But God has never left me in confusion when it comes to His Word.  If I seek Him, I find Him. 

God wants us to know Him.  He wants us to walk with Him.  He desires our fellowship.  Do you know the way you express yourself to God is unique?  Your voice is different from any other voice He created?  And if you don't talk to Him, He doesn't get to hear your voice.  He has all these truths for you and blessings He wants to give you, but if you don't seek Him, He just waits.  My mom always encouraged my sister and me to read our Bibles first thing in the morning when we were young.  She told us that if we could just picture Jesus standing by our beds with a basket full of goodies He wanted to share with us, we would seek after Him.  She said if we got up and got busy, Jesus would just stand there, holding that basket.  Each time we walked by Him and didn't acknowledge Him, it would sadden Him.  And when we crawled back into bed that night and turned out the light, He would still be standing there waiting with all His goodness.  That isn't Scripture, but it was a good way to paint a picture for us of how we ought to seek after Christ. 

Are you seeking Jesus today?  Or are you hiding from Him?  Are you so caught up in your life that you don't have time for Him?  Why not decide today that nothing will stand between you and the Saviour in the mornings?  Yes, your phone and your tablet will ring with notifications from emails and facebook, but those are not emergencies.  Just because your daughter or friend messages you does not mean you have to respond right away.  Seek Christ first.  Yes, your body wants some breakfast and you need to work out and put the laundry on, but wait.  Seek Christ first. 

I am reading a book right now by a pastor friend of ours.  He has written about Jesus and the sermon on the mount.  One fascinating truth that he keeps reiterating in the chapters is the fact that God wants our hearts.  All during the day I keep telling myself, "Sheri, God wants your heart!"  This thought alone has kept me from sinning in wrongful thinking and speech.  It is my relinquishing my own flesh and desiring to make God happy by giving Him my heart, over and over and over.  That is a great way to seek Him.  Just make your heart available. 

Jesus knew Judas would seek Him in the garden, and He wasn't afraid of being found.  He wanted to rescue the world from sin, so He had to let them find Him.  He did it for the Gentile soldiers and the Jewish people who sought Him.  He didn't make a difference.  He had already told the Jewish leaders that one day they would seek Him (the Messiah) and not find Him.  He has already come and died and paid the penalty for their sins, but they seek on for a Messiah today.  But you can find Him today!  He is waiting to be found!  Open up your Bible, ask Him to talk to you, and then talk to Him.  Pour your heart out, obey Him and walk with Him.  Let your unique voice be heard by His ears today!

Until next time, Lord willing,
Sheri