Seeking The Face Of God

On The Damascus Road Answers Why do we seek the Face of God?

	Seeking the Face of GOD What are we looking for when we set about to seek the face of God? Is it simply an act of incidental curiosity - just to be able to say we've looked on Him? Or is there a need to, as it were, "touch the hem of His garment" so as to gain that mystical edge of God contact? Then, just maybe, through doubt we've been brought to this position in our life, where we have just got to seek Him to validate our belief in God! Someone is probably saying, "Those are not my reasons, I want to seek God's face for the sole reason that I want to get to know Him better!" I know, I've been there too! I'm not trying to put reasons into your head nor am I saying that these are the only reasons that we might seek God's face. But I am bringing a few of them into the light. I would like to explore these with you and see what is necessary to really seek the face of God. Curiosity in and of itself is not a bad trait as long as it is not allowed to overwhelm you. In point of fact you will find that curiosity is very valid especially when you have an eager desire to learn about a subject. There is not too much you ever will learn if it were not for curiosity. What ever you look into requires you to be curious about it. You see curiosity is for learning. Learning is good if it is an in-depth study, but it has been said, ``A little learning is a dangerous thing'' and I fully agree. For those that desire to learn about God just to be able to brag that you have looked on Him the danger is very real. A superficial or cursory examination has no substance or significance, nothing is there for you to get a firm handle. In Scripture there's a story related of a man (named Simon) that had been an important person in the eyes of the people of Samaria. (Even though it was brought on by his own self-important bragging). When he heard of the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, he also believed with others in the city. However he hung around to observe the wonders and miracles that were taking place. He reasoned that if the laying on of hands would bring the indwelling of the Holy Spirit then it was worth a few dollars to have the same gift that could raise him once again into prominence. He witnessed the Kingdom of God in practice. He tasted of the good life that Christianity had to offer. But he never got into the depth of understanding that would have clearly taught him of the GIFT that can't be purchased. Instead, he was prepared to buy rather than really understand (which would have cost him personal time and involvement instead of money). He was superficially curious. And he was warned of the dangerous condition he was in. You can read it in the book of Acts 8:5-25. From the very first time when the baby reaches out to touch the "pretty" to the time of our death, we are driven by curiosity and taught through our willingness to be curious. From the cradle to the grave—how we use our ability to be curious greatly determines our success and/or failure ratio. That very fact tells us once again that there is danger lying in wait for the lazy or superficially curious. Would you trust your future into the hands of a lawyer that received his total education from a mail-order correspondence course? It even sounds silly, doesn't it? No, of course you wouldn't! And neither would the state accredit his mail-order diploma. You would not place your trust in a person that would not spend the personal time and commitment to do the job right. Then, by extension, neither would he spend the personal time and commitment for your benefit. A half-hearted commitment is no better than no commitment. The danger in this case is obvious—it involves your future! I'm sure that there are those that can say, "Oh, I've sat in church any number of times and I'm familiar with God through the teaching in the sermons. No, I haven't read the Bible but I don't need to, I learn enough to get me by. And besides I'm hoping that my works will get me through to Heaven's door." DO I HAVE NEWS FOR YOU! This half-hearted commitment is a killer. At best, it will get through to Heaven's door—the outside! If your not committed to a daily walk and growth in Jesus, if your depending on your works, if you haven't received the gift of the shed blood of Jesus for the propitiation (to make amends) for your sins, you are walking in a headlong flight downward. Your only avenue left open to you is a 180 degree turnaround. And this involves a headlong flight into the arms of Jesus, giving over oneself to the Holy Spirit for direction and growth. It's called Commitment! How many times haven't we wished for the nose twitch of Samantha on the old TV series Bewitched. "Boy, oh boy, could I really accomplish a lot without having to get up and do it myself." Sound familiar? You bet it does! Every one of us have had that or a similar thought at one time or another. There are those that continue to think in those terms almost to the exclusion of anything else, though it's not a very wise attitude to take. Some have even applied the concept to spiritual matters. The simple touching of the hem of Jesus' garment implies to some a magical or mystical method of healing and therefore extends that mystique to other paths in their lives. Though you may be on that downward spirial away from heaven's gate, it will amaze you, when you do that 180, to find that there is not a long road home alone. As soon as you turn your direction away from the undesired path to your new path there will be Jesus, standing with His arms held out to you to lift you and cover the way home swiftly. Heavenly Father, Help us to keep our eyes on thee and to realize that you are still on the throne and in control. Help us in our unbelief. You, only, have the ability to clear the mirky water and reflect through each of us the love and patience of Thy wisdom and peace. Amen RECOMMENDED FOR FURTHER READING: These Bible References Deuteronomy 4:29-31; Psalms 42:1-4; 2 Chronicles 7:12-14; luke 11:9-10;


To God Be The Glory