What Are You Seeking?
By Shauna Leis
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:33
One of my favorite movies of all time is Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade. You know the story, right? Dr. Indiana Jones goes off in search of his father who was on a quest for the Holy Grail – the Cup of Christ. In that movie, one of the most memorable scenes is after the big boat chase, and Dr. Jones is letting one of the Knights who had chased him out of the boat. The Knight asks Dr. Jones, “You must ask yourself, Dr. Jones, ‘Why do you seek the cup of Christ? Is it for His glory or your own?’”. So, I must now ask myself the same question: this journey that I am currently on - is it for His glory or my own?
That is exactly what all of us are on every day of our lives – a journey that most of us call life. Some of our journeys are long, and some are short. Some are curved and windy, and some are straight and narrow; but all are in some way a journey. What has your journey been like so far? Have you been able to see and stay on the correct path all along the way, or have there been times when you have wondered if you were still even on a road at all? Take a minute to think about (or even draw it out) what your life’s journey has been like so far.
My own journey has likely paralleled the one that you have just thought about because many times my own will has taken control of this flesh and determined to do whatever it wants, instead of what God has designed for me. We all have a free will to be able to make this choice to follow God or to go our own way. I truly believe this is why God has called me to write this particular devotion, to help others understand that their journey need not parallel mine with all of the twists and turns and wrong directions. My life has been filled with blinking cautions signs and even outright “Danger Ahead” flags that at times I chose to blatantly ignore. However, you can choose to stay on the straight and narrow path or even get back on the straight and narrow path if you have been led astray. That was the choice that I made – that I no longer wanted to follow my path with all of its obstacles. I wanted to be back in His will. The choice is up to you!
While the children of Israel were still being held captive in Babylon, God gave a message to the prophet Jeremiah. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.” Jeremiah 29:13-14. So, what are you seeking? He promises each of us that if we are truly seeking Him, then we will find Him. Are you seeking Him with all of your heart? Then do not lose heart on this journey, dear friend, as you will find Him. That is His promise to us now!
Pray with me: My God and my Savior, I pray that along this journey You have brought each of us through so far, You will be our guide from now until we reach our ultimate goal of life in eternity with You. Guide our paths so that we can stay on the straight and narrow one that leads to Heaven. These precious friends and I place our trust in You completely that You have the best possible plan in store for us during our journeys. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us “…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” We cling to this promise, Lord, that we are not alone in this journey and that You will give us hope and a future! We love You so very much and pray all of these things in the precious name above all names – Jesus!