Why does it seem that God is so hard to find? We have a heart to seek Him. We want to know Him and have a fulfilling relationship with Him. But it seems He hides from us. But does He?
You’ve probably heard that God doesn’t hide from us, He hides for us. This is true. But why is He hiding for us? The main reason is because of Love. For God is love. But it’s not like any other love. And it doesn’t come cheaply. So, how do we enter into this Love?
Pursuing this Love takes faith
This Love requires believing in Someone you cannot see, hear, or touch…although, He will move your heart. Everything tangible about our relationship with Him starts with believing the intangible.
This Love is always present, ever-willing and unconditionally given, but it’s not a Love we will find by our natural senses.
The fact is, we don’t know what we don’t know, so faith must come first.
And you don’t just “fall into love” with God. To quote Danny Silk, if you fell into it, gravity did that! And if you can “fall into” something, you can fall right back out. No, love chooses. He chose you first (Jn.15:15). He had faith in you first. You must choose to respond to Him by faith.
Faith is taking God at His Word when there’s no tangible evidence of His promise to reward our diligent seeking (Heb.11:6).
Reality follows faith. And the experiential reality of this Love will come in due time, if you believe.
A Love worth finding must be pursued
The most precious things in life have the highest value to us. Especially love.
Pursuing God deals with our value system. Our “treasure,” if you will. In other words, what is so important to us that we would do anything, or give up anything, in order to obtain it? Because, truth be told, we will always diligently pursue the things we value the most.
It’s true that God will introduce Himself first, before we even want to know Him. However, He is more interested in a developing an on-going relationship that draws us deeper and deeper into Him.
Only free people can truly find Love
This may come as a shock to you, but God is not responsible to manage your relationship with Him. You are. He manages His side of the relationship, you must manage yours.
Why is this so? Because Love can only be fully expressed between two free people. And He has given you the freedom to seek Him and love Him with all of your heart. He has already freely decided to love you with all of His.
Pursuing Love takes time
Again, this is where faith and what we value matters. Is this pursuit really worth our time?
You see, we cannot just “add” this Love to our busy schedules. It requires removing some other things in order to make room for Love. Some aren’t willing to do this. But then, that’s not seeking Him with all of our heart, is it.
Why does God want you to love Him with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength? Again, because He already loves you that way. And He knows that love is best when it’s mutually expressed.
Part of this pursuing process is the growing revelation of our “other lovers” and distractions and distortions that keep Him “behind our wall” (Songs 2:9). The things that keep us from this Love are not on His side, they are on ours.
He doesn’t come as easy as some
No, He doesn’t come as easy as other lovers. But in all our diligent pursuing, we enter into a supernatural reality of love beyond our wildest dreams. After all, you have just entered into the Divine Dance between the Father, Son and Spirit. A Love fest that has been going on for eternity! You have entered into the very heartbeat of His life.
You can believe Him. He is worth it all, no matter the cost, no matter how long it may take.
Here’s a favorite song of mine by Kristene Mueller-Dimarco that really captures the heart of seeking after God. Take some time to enter into His embrace. Enjoy the pursuit!
Blessings,
Mel
All My Devotion
By Kristene Mueller
© 2008 Kristene Mueller (Admin. by Jesus Culture Music)
CCLI Song # 5786280
Beautiful man beautiful God
You’re more than worth my time
You’re more than worth these longings of my heart
Left unfulfilled for a time
And I know you don’t come as easy as come
But I will watch and pray I will watch and pray
Take it all take it all
Just give me Jesus
Just give me Jesus
I don’t want any other lovers
All my devotion belongs to this Man
I love two things you’ve said: we cannot add God’s love to our schedules and how the Father, Son, and Spirit have enjoyed eternal bliss. Discipleship ripens with time; this is about the journey with God. The latter is something I always explain as the essence of our worship–the Spirit of God bringing us into the eternal fellowship of the Three. Insightful post.
Amen. What an awesome fellowship we have been called into! Thank you for your comments, Michael. Much appreciated. Blessings.
So, so good and so, so true. There is always a cost, but a much greater reward when we “choose the better part.” Really love this Mel.
Thanks. Good point on cost and reward. I’m going to be posting along those lines next. We’re in the middle of a conference so it probably won’t go out until late Monday.