Search & Rescue…
Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
Abba Daddy is not satisfied with just a casual “I’ll see you in church” approach, anymore than an earthly parent would be if we were to stay in our room and only come out when we wanted or needed something. Yeah, they would still be our parents and we would still be their child, but there wouldn’t be any bond that would identify the value of our relationship. The value of any relationship lies in the effort put forth to know and be known for the sake of love. And that effort hinges on the answers to the questions our heart asks. Who do we seek… what do we seek from them… why do we seek them… when do we seek them… where do we seek to find them… how do we seek… and the satisfaction, the filling of the heart when we find them.
Who… I, Mary, seek THE Triune God, Father, Son, & Holy Spirit, but not all of us seek the same. In each (and every) individual there is a question of, “Who do you seek?” The answer to that will influence if not define the rest of the heart’s questions. We are seeking, whether consciously or unconsciously, that one person that means the world to us. The person that gives us reason to keep on pursuing them and their acceptance of us until our heart is satisfied and filled with the return of their love to us. Who do you seek… yourself? a parent or parental substitute? a partner?
What… I believe we all seek the same thing in every search… love! Not just any love but the love that provides security for our heart, so it will not be broken. Unconditional love… the kind of love that never fails… the love that casts out fear. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
Why… This question speaks to the passion and ultimately the commitment we make to our search. If what we seek from them is materialistic, we are much more prone to seek several sources to fill our need. If who/what we seek is secondary to the finding than we will lose sight of our goal and may even become blind and not recognize the prize when we find it.
When… Our pursuit of love is lifelong! There is no shortcut and there is no “been there done that”. Unconditional love is a rare treasure that indeed is worth seeking but the maintenance requires the same passion as the pursuit.
Where… There definitely are places that are absolutely wrong for finding love and there are definitely places where unconditional love can never be found. Our heart has need for us to identify the best places to seek unconditional love so that it does not find a substitute that is not only wrong but will cause great damage and long-term, sometimes life-long scaring.
How… With all your heart! If the pursuit is not worth it to your heart, then we are not talking about the same treasure. If the version of love you find can be easily exchanged, or put aside, or done without, then I guarantee your heart will not be satisfied. No matter how convincing you are with yourself, your heart will never be done pursuing its ultimate love and every sample will be tested thoroughly for treasure status… Matthew 6:21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
The satisfaction… Just as “the shadow knows”, the heart knows. Your mind might not know what is wrong, your body might be reacting to what is wrong, your plans might be in complete disagreement to the direction your heart wants to go, but your heart rules! It chooses who to pursue… It chooses what to pursue… It chooses when, where, how to pursue… and it knows when it is satisfied and being filled.
No matter your beliefs, your religion, your race, your place in life… every person… has a heart that chooses and a heart that holds it’s owner accountable for finding the treasure and responsible for the condition of its treasure.
If your heart is hurting, check out what it is pursuing and what it is receiving in its pursuit.
Mark 8:36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?
And then… There is God…
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:12-14 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord,
Are you pursuing Him? God is pursuing you! His RESCUE (the true treasure) of you and your heart’s desire is just a prayer away… God pursues us and loves us with a love without end!
**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible