​Vol. H-0003 June 1998 No. H-0006

WHAT DO YOU SEEK?​

WHY DO YOU SEEK?

 Spring is one of the most beautiful times of the year. The trees are in bloom; other vegetation is starting to turn green. Everything around us seems to be refreshed and renewed. Yet, Fall is equally as beautiful, with the vibrant colors of the changing leaves. Winter is no less beautiful with its new-fallen snow, nor summer with its green grass, colorful flowers and bright sun. Most of us enjoy spending time outside in the midst of the beauty around us. In fact, there is something within us that sometimes seems to be drawn to the "out-of-doors".

There is an endless amount of places set aside for us to enjoy the display of creation:

The Grand Canyon; Yosemite, Yellowstone & Smoky Mountain National Parks; Carlsbad Caverns; Niagara Falls, to name a few. And then there are the not-so-famous places tucked away here and there where we can take a walk or a swim or just gaze at the sunset. Are you a bird watcher? An Appalachian Trail hiker? A wildflower collector? A spelunker? What is it that causes you to do these things? Is it your desire to see the birds, vistas, flowers, or caves? If so, from where does that desire come?

SOMETHING WITHIN US

Earlier I mentioned that "something within us" that sometimes seems to draw us to the "out-of-doors". Many would consider that "something" to be curiosity, or a sense of accomplishment, or a thirst for knowledge, or just plain enjoyment. But what that "something" actually is is a desire placed there by our Creator.
 

People tend to seek out others with whom they share like interests. When we are drawn to the trail or sunset or waterfall we are actually seeking to touch something that is like us. You see, every part of Creation shares One very important thing in common: The Creator. To find enjoyment in a bird or cave or rock is to touch the Creator in that creation. Because Yahweh placed a part of Himself within everything He created, that "Him" in His children is drawn to the "Him" in the rest of His creation.

Now, when you go hiking in the mountains or cave-exploring, or even out in your own back yard, what do you seek? Pleasure for your flesh? Or quenching for the thirst in your spirit?
Jesus asked this question of two of His disciples when they began following Him. They didn't know Who He really was or where He was going. They just knew they had a desire to follow Him. That "something" in them was touched by that "something" in Him, and they knew that nothing else mattered but to seek after Him. Later, when Jesus was talking to the multitudes about His cousin John, He asked them, "What did you go out into the wilderness to look at?  A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see?  A man dressed in soft clothing?  Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' palaces.  But why did you go out?  To see a prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, 'BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER BEFORE YOUR FACE, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.'" (Matt. 11:17-10 NASB) Three times He asked them why they went out, and then He gave them the answer - the same answer He gives us.  "Out there" is His messenger to prepare your way before you. Perhaps you're now saying, "That doesn't make sense." or "That's taking the quote out of context."  Please ponder this.  The Spirit of God draws our spirit to Him.  We respond to that drawing by drawing nearer to Him, out in the midst of His Creation. There, He delivers His message to us - through the awesomeness of His Creation. Our choice is whether or not to receive His message into our spirit. If we choose to do so, then we have chosen to accept His preparing our way before us to enter into Eternal Life with Him. And what, you may ask, is so awesome about His Creation? If you allow Him to show it to you through His eyes, then you won't have to ask that question. You'll see dancing waters, ice bells, clapping trees, deeper waters, sentinels, new growth ... the list is endless. Allow God to open your eyes to see those vistas, caves, waters, birds, etc. through His eyes. You'll be amazed!!!

FROM THE BRIDEGROOM

There is a lesson in obedience to be learned through the animals. What we call instinct in them is actually obedience.Their Father teaches them where to find food, water and shelter.  They choose to listen and obey. Thus, they are not hungry or thirsty, and they are protected, safe from harm, because they hear the voice of their Father and obey Him. (3/10/98)

"It is not hard to hear Me or see Me, but the desire must be yours." ... "Seek Me." (8/15/95)

"Enlarge your desire for Me--and to know Me." (11/25/95)

"I have placed within you all you need to remain at the bosom of your life Creator." (12/5/95)

"Seek not My approval; seek not My blessings; seek not My comforts. ...SEEK ONLY ME---ME---ONLY ME-- I AM--YOUR FATHER--YOUR CREATOR--YOUR LORD--YOUR SAVIOR--YOUR ALL IN ALL!" (2/21/96)

GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE

In his book, The Innocents Abroad, Mark Twain describes the land that is now Israel. "The hills are barren, they are dull of color, they are unpicturesque in shape. The valleys are unsightly deserts fringed with a feeble vegetation that has an expression about it of being sorrowful and despondent... It is a hopeless, dreary, heartbroken land." Twain's visit took place during the late 1860's, while God's Chosen were still in exile. We know that, today, parts of the land are much different. There is lush, fertile land that yields an abundance of fruits and vegetables. Perhaps the vegetation is happy now because Israel is once again inhabited by God's Chosen People, the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. "Surely, the return of the Jewish people to their ancient homeland has made the desert 'glad.' "* That part of the Creator which He placed within His Creation rejoices to be reunited with His people. "The wilderness and the desert will be glad, and the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it will blossom profusely and rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy." (Is.35: 1,2 NASB)

BOTTOM LINE

 "Therefore the land mourns, and everyone who lives in it languishes along with the beasts of the field and the birds of the sky; and also the fish of the sea disappear..." (Hos. 4:3)
Yahweh uses everything He created to teach His own creation.  His creation learns from each other. Hear with your ears; see with your eyes, and learn from what you hear and see.  None of what you see around you is here by chance. Each thing, each person is in its place in its time. For what purpose? His! Seek His Purpose for you. Seek Him!

LOOK AT CURRENT EVENTS

The leaders of the United States and Mexico are meeting to discuss the return of lands taken from Mexico during the Mexican War and other battles between US settlers and the Mexicans. The lands under discussion are Texas and California. Okay, so this is really not happening. However, if you are following any media reports you will find something equally as absurd is taking place. Israel is being asked to give back land that it obtained through wars. Why should they be expected to do so when no other country is being asked to do the same? And Israel didn't even start these wars to begin with. Let's see: where is it written that if one country attacks (or prepares to attack) another country, then loses the battle and part of its land, that the attacking country can say that they want to take back the land they lost?  And the rest of the world agrees with them? To the Victor goes the spoils. This particular situation has another twist. The land in question belongs to now, always has belonged to, and always will belong to Israel. Yahweh gave this land to Israel. He defined the boundaries (Numbers 34). Yet, the President and Secretary of State of the United States are trying to blackmail and bully Israel into surrendering its very self to the Palestinians. May they realize that they are not standing against man, but against GOD! AND HE WILL PREVAIL, IN WHATEVER IS HIS WILL!

CHOICE

"But you, are you seeking great things for yourself?" (Jer. 45:5)

Yahweh's desire for you is for you to choose Him, and He wants it to be your desire.  In His Creation He has given you His very self. Which will you choose to seek? Yourself or Him?

SEEK HIM AND LIVE!