Searching

As seen in the HEARTbeat and the Village Voice

Searching

            Believe or not, we are born with an innate drive to search.  Human beings desire to adapt the environment around us to our liking, not adapt ourselves to our environment.  You might disagree with me, and that’s ok.  Given cold weather, what do we do?  We put on more clothes to stay warm.  You might say, “But that’s adapting to the environment!”  We build shelters when camping to guard us against the elements and the cold.  We build houses to accommodate our needs and shut out the cold.  Sure, we are not changing the season, but we are manipulating the immediate area around us more to our liking.

            Scientists will tell you humans are homeostatic organisms.  In other words, we like things to stay the same around us.  Why else would we be creatures of habits, get in work ruts, and find ourselves in a mundane world of our own making?  When something around us changes, we either adapt to meet the change or we search for a way to change whatever it is to meet our expectations.

            Searching is not a new thing.  Cavemen searched for food.  Inventors sought to make things easier through inventions.  Scientists search for answers to questions involving health and well-being.  Success is measured in developments and answers, all of which benefit society.

            Do we search for God with the same voracity?  Some may say, “Yes!” while others are not as enthusiastic.  If we go to church every week, do we do anything different.  Do we get more involved or less involved?  What are we doing to make a difference in our relationship with God?  Are we searching for His purpose?

            The widow lost a silver coin in her house.  She swept the house thoroughly and searched diligently.  This coin was special to her, as some say it was part of her inheritance from her parents.  It not only had monetary value, but it also had sentimental value as well.  When it started to get dark, she needed light, so she lit lamps to help in her search.  Eventually she found the coin and called her neighbors to rejoice with her.  She was thrilled her search was successful.

            Do we search for God in the same way?  Do we search His Word to meet Him there?  God gives us a day to live in.  If that is so, then why do we worry about tomorrow and miss what God has for us today.

            We are commanded to search.  Now whether you search or not is a decision you must make.  God has given us another day.  It is a gift all on its own.  But within the gift is another gift, and that is God walking beside us.  He has gifts for us to open and to share with others today.  Matthew 7:7-8 says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (emphasis added)

            Ask God to reveal Himself to you today.  Truly seek Him.  Knock on the door in your search and He will open it.  Then you will receive what He has for you today and then rejoice with Him.