You find what you are looking for

You will see me and find me when you seek me with all your heart—Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV).

While cleaning house recently, I tuned my TV to a local news broadcast. My attention wasn’t completely focused on the interview of a woman who writes book reviews. I heard bits and pieces of her remarks as I dusted the furniture. It seems I don’t multi-task as well as I used to.

The following statement, which ended the segment, did grab my attention: “You find what you are looking for.”

Carol Round

Several scriptures came to mind, including Jeremiah 29:13. In Jeremiah 29, the prophet, sends a letter to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. His words to those who had been taken captive by the Babylonians were meant to comfort, to encourage and reveal God’s plans for His people if they wholeheartedly sought the Lord and fulfilled His purposes.

I thought about the times I’d drifted away from the Lord’s plans for me. Growing up, I faithfully attended church and participated in youth activities. As a married adult, I allowed the secular world to distract me from church attendance. After my sons were born, I wanted them to have the same foundation I’d experienced. Unfortunately, I later wandered away from my roots.

However, it wasn’t until my 28-year marriage dissolved that I began to seek the Lord and understand the difference between knowing of God and having a personal relationship with Him. I remember that sunny, warm October afternoon in 2001 as if it were yesterday. I was struggling. I was distracted from a writing assignment I couldn’t seem to complete. Taking a break, I decided to go for a walk by the lake.

Nearing a picnic area in our neighborhood, I veered from my path and to a concrete table where I could sit and watch the geese sunning by the water. In spite of the day’s beauty, an emptiness engulfed me, threatening to overwhelm the strides I’d made after my divorce.

For the first time, I prayed aloud. “God, I’m so lost. I need some direction. Please help me.”

As I finished praying, a peace settled over me, surrounding me like the arms of a beloved friend enveloping me in a hug. That friend was Jesus.

As imperfect human beings, we tend to seek money, fame, people and entertainment as our end goals in life. Accumulating those things becomes our reason for living. We seek materialism over eternal life through our Savior and Lord. But, as I discovered almost 18 years ago, it only leads to emptiness.

To experience true joy and add value to our lives, we must seek God, a God who wants an intimate relationship with His children. His promises for us outweigh any material gains we’ve made.

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

We don’t have to struggle in this life. Striving to live a happy life through anything else but a relationship with Jesus only leads to captivity. We’re never free until we seek His face and accept His amazing grace.