Are we seeking God?

Recently I had the wonderful opportunity of spending a few days with some friends, animal spotting in the Kruger Park in South Africa. The park is full of exciting animals but you don’t see them all the time. In fact we spent many hours driving down dry and dusty roads staring out of open windows and scanning the bush for animals. You may think this sounds a bit dull, however there was something that kept excited us all the time. It was anticipation: anticipation that round the next corner we could have a close encounter with something amazing.

The animals were, of course, always there, but we just weren’t always in the right place at the right time to see them. But we were definitely always at the ready, scanning the spaces between the trees, trying to spot something, alert and awake and ‘seeking’. And that was part of the fun. It made me think…Do we really seek God like this?

In the game park our ‘seeking’ was amply rewarded with some close encounters with zebras, elephants, water buffalo, giraffe and even leopards. However I can truly say we enjoyed every moment including the times of waiting expectantly. It made me think… Do we enjoy seeking God with this kind of anticipation, even when we don’t get rewarded instantly, with a close encounter?

The truth is that God does seem to be hidden from our view sometimes, although He’s always there. Perhaps we aren’t always in the right place on the spiritual road so we fail to make contact with Him. We might be on the wrong path, following our own desires and not focussing on His ways and desiring His presence. We might miss the moment because we’re distracted by other things.

But Father God rewards us when we diligently and faithfully seek Him. He rewards us with the blessings of His presence. In those special moments we see Him more clearly, even face-to-face – the best reward ever! We may not live all the time in this kind of closeness, but if we are expectant, and if we are open, alert and ready, He won’t disappoint us. We should actively seek Him, enjoying the anticipation of the next close encounter (which may, nevertheless, take us by surprise when it comes).

Prayer: Lord, by the power of Your Holy Spirit I ask that You stir my heart to diligently seek after You with real expectation. I choose to live my life in the environment where You live, the Kingdom of God, and to eagerly anticipate moments of close encounter with You. Thank You that You won’t disappoint me as I seek after You. I ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen.