"If you're seeking the face of God, and instead find His hand, just look up; it's not that far away." Bill Johnson. My quote may be a slight paraphrase, but it is the essence of what he says. And it's so true!
He's talking about something many of us have been taught over the years; that we shouldn't seek God's hand, we should be seeking His face. Meaning that we shouldn't be looking for what He can give us, but seeking Him for who He is. Sounds good, but it's just a religious exercise.
I was contemplating this truth this morning during some time with the Lord. It seems to me that God is One, He is whole, and if we find Him in part, we find all of Him. It's our awareness that changes as we get to know Him, but He doesn't change. ( this may be someone else's teaching as well, no plageurism intended)
Isaiah 49:16 says, "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands... Apparently it's okay with the Lord of the universe if we like His hands. He says that we're carved into them. It's a place of safety and rest. I know I'm oversimplifying this, but it's still true. If I only seek God for what He can give me, I believe I will still end up in the right place, because He will still give me His love and protection. He said so. And when I know that I'm loved, that draws me to the one who loves me. And I get to know Him better.
What all of this does for me is to put my heart at peace. I can rest instead of striving to do whatever is exactly right according to what someone tells me is right. I can rest in the knowledge of the love of God and remember that He loves me, not because I earned His love, but that He loves me and that's why He created me. He's got a book that tells me these truths; it's up to me to pick it up and actually read it and discover the truths buried therein. I'm on a treasure hunt today; I'm reading and re-reading Psalm 27.(thanks Sonia!) Would you like to join in the search? I bet God will stop by when you do.
Peace and blessings to all my readers.
He's talking about something many of us have been taught over the years; that we shouldn't seek God's hand, we should be seeking His face. Meaning that we shouldn't be looking for what He can give us, but seeking Him for who He is. Sounds good, but it's just a religious exercise.
I was contemplating this truth this morning during some time with the Lord. It seems to me that God is One, He is whole, and if we find Him in part, we find all of Him. It's our awareness that changes as we get to know Him, but He doesn't change. ( this may be someone else's teaching as well, no plageurism intended)
Isaiah 49:16 says, "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands... Apparently it's okay with the Lord of the universe if we like His hands. He says that we're carved into them. It's a place of safety and rest. I know I'm oversimplifying this, but it's still true. If I only seek God for what He can give me, I believe I will still end up in the right place, because He will still give me His love and protection. He said so. And when I know that I'm loved, that draws me to the one who loves me. And I get to know Him better.
What all of this does for me is to put my heart at peace. I can rest instead of striving to do whatever is exactly right according to what someone tells me is right. I can rest in the knowledge of the love of God and remember that He loves me, not because I earned His love, but that He loves me and that's why He created me. He's got a book that tells me these truths; it's up to me to pick it up and actually read it and discover the truths buried therein. I'm on a treasure hunt today; I'm reading and re-reading Psalm 27.(thanks Sonia!) Would you like to join in the search? I bet God will stop by when you do.
Peace and blessings to all my readers.
