CHRISTIAN LIFE & GROWTH
"You will seek Me and find Me"
By Desiree Angeles
The Lord Himself stated to us that He will always be on our side, if only we seek Him in our lives. Yes, we often seek His presence through prayers and reflecting on the Bible. But too often our heads are preoccupied with so many things going on in our lives, and our attention gets disturbed so easily with our surroundings.
Before, though not so long ago, when I was on college, I was too busy with my projects and stuffs. There were times that my tasks even occurred to my dreams. And I did often rush my prayers back then. Though I attended church frequently, there was something inside me that felt empty. And I didn't understand why. I remember in one of my prayers, I ask the Lord, "God, what is it that I feel a gap inside me? Like I haven't been fulfilled? You know I've been working for You. I attend church every Sunday and always go to the Bible Study Fellowship. But why do I felt like this? Am I missing something?"
I so desperately needed an answer back then. Until a certain day of our gathering seemingly answered all of my questions. I still remember the words of our Pastor later that night, as he said, "If there are times that we can't feel the presence of the Lord, it is because we are too busy with the world." That was when I realize that I was so occupied with my projects, school, friends and so many things I thought more important than to spend an hour for the Lord. Though I attended church, I was lacking the heart for worship. Though I sang the songs of praises, I was just mumbling the words and didn't take it deeply into my heart. Thus hampering the Holy Spirit to dwell in me.
In spending time with the Lord, it doesn't count how long our prayers are or how many times we visit the church. It is our heart that matters for the Lord. "He said to them, 'You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God's sight.'" Luke 16:15.
We feel the Lord's presence by seeking Him with all our hearts. That means to let go whatever's bugging into our mind and keep ourselves from any worries. One thing I learned, by the other people and my own life, is that the Lord is faithful to His promises, whatever He says He'll do — trust Him, He will surely do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24).
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me," (Revelation 3:20). The Lord isn't as far as we might think. He's always on our side waiting for us to acknowledge His presence. The Apostle Paul also quoted in one of His letters to the Romans, "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord," [see Romans 8:38-39]. No powers in this world nor the demons could ever take us away from the presence of our God through the Lord Jesus-Christ. Only if we trust and believe Him. My friend, it's not too late for you to ask for the Lord's guidance. Since that night, whenever I felt sad or even dismay, I asked the Lord to come by to me, and He has never failed me. As a fellow Christian, my advice is the same for you. Whenever you feel like you're alone, ask for the Lord to open your heart to make you realize His omniscient presence. And He'll surely come rushing on your side.
Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me Psalm 139:7-10Let me share with you this favorite verse of mine; before my mom and I went to sleep we often spoke this truth to cast away any worries and make the Lord know that we trusts in Him. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort," (Psalm 23:4).
Image Credit: Rob; Quiet Solitude; Creative Commons
Tags: Biblical-Truth | Christian-Life | God-Father | Hardships | Personal-Life comments powered by Disqus
Published 8-21-14
