How Do I Search for God with All My Heart?

How Do I Search for God with All My Heart?

Posted on by Michele Morin

Sunday Scripture

I despise looking for things. As a mum, my least favorite words in the English language are, “Muu-uuum, where’s my [fill in the missing item]?” I go to great lengths, personally, to avoid ever having to look for things: keys always in the same purse pocket, phone plugged in, glasses on my face or in their case, planner on the kitchen counter, all jewelry on bureau. Even so, mental lapses happen, and I, occasionally, have to go swooping through the house, scanning all horizontal surfaces with a knot in my stomach.

Could this be why I find so much comfort and enjoyment in Jeremiah’s words to God’s people in exile?

You will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord…”

Jeremiah 29:12-14

These words are addressed to a nation of disobedient, distractable, and wayward people. Nebuchadnezzar had carried them off to Babylon as punishment after years of warning and pleading from God’s faithful prophets. It was God’s idea to use a pagan nation to jerk their wandering hearts to attention, but nonetheless, God is signaling iminence and availability, assuring them that they have God’s unwavering attention.

Given God’s track record of merciful forgiveness and gracious availability, do you imagine God playing hard to get with you?

If you feel the absence of God today, could it be that you are looking for the wrong Person?

Is it possible that God isn’t who you thought God was? Are you seeking the “God” your parents talked about but didn’t really know? Would the God you are looking for vote a straight Republican or Democratic ticket? Are you looking for a feel-good savior to balance your checking account and fix all your problems?

Maybe it’s time to examine your assumptions about God. The truth is that God is untamed and untame-able, given to actions that I cannot explain.

When you cannot absorb your present situation, when the storms have dredged up a load of sludge and debris you can’t sort through alone, challenge yourself to assume that God wants to be known. Turn toward God–not away from God in anger and disappointment!

Commit yourself to looking for God in the one place God promises to reveal himself–the written Word. Begin by making a list of characteristics of God that you discover in whatever scripture passage you are reading.

Seek God through prayer, honestly spilling out your confusion into God’s ear. Make time in your day for silent waiting before God, and tell God that you are willing to trust the mystery of his good intentions toward you.

I’m praying for you in the search,

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Published by Michele Morin

Michele Morin is a Bible teacher, writer, reader, and gardener committed to the truth that women can become confident Christ-followers and students of God's Word. She has been married to an unreasonably patient husband for thirty-plus years, and together they have four sons, four daughters-in-love, and six adorable grandchildren. Michele loves hot tea and well-crafted sentences, poems that stop her in her tracks, and days at the ocean with the whole family. She laments biblical illiteracy and advocates for the prudent use of “little minutes.” She blogs at Living Our Days, and you can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

39 thoughts on “How Do I Search for God with All My Heart?”

  1. God’s Word – ever living, ever speaking, ever true. I know just where to find Him. So grateful He has given us His written Word!

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  6. I remember the first time someone suggested looking for evidence of God’s character in whatever part of the Bible you find yourself. At the time Romans was my focus; the list of attributes grew quite lengthy! It’s wonderfully affirming to see how multi-faceted He is with his love, compassion, faithfulness, wisdom, guidance, generosity, and more. All that goodness is directed toward us, His children! “The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works” (Psalm 145:9).

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      1. Although I have accumulated a number of journals there would be many more if I hadn’t used looseleaf notebooks most of the time. Some of the most meaningful studies are stored in a file cabinet drawer but many others I threw away as we moved from parsonage to parsonage! Just too much paper!!

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  7. Please know that I give the following advice with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek, but reading your post made me think about St. Anthony of Padua. He is the saint of lost items.

    I loved the message you present here, Michele. I especially appreciated this line: “The truth is that God is untamed and untame-able, given to actions that I cannot explain.” So true and so good!

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  8. What a wonderful connection with that verse and the phrase, “where is…” I will always connect the two in my mind now and say a little prayer to help find whatever it is that needs finding. Also, to give me patience with the person who disturbed my quiet time to help them find it when if they had put it away to begin with it wouldn’t be lost….usually my husband.

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  10. Michele, I love how you wove this together with the thought provoking statement, “If you feel the absence of God today, could it be that you are looking for the wrong Person?” Indeed, who am I looking for, or expecting to find? I’m going to meditate on this for a bit. Thank you!

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  11. “Is it possible that God isn’t who you thought God was?” Such an important question. Many people go their idea of God without knowing him as he is. How we need to diligently search for him in his word.

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  12. I like your advice to read the Bible searching for characteristics of God. I think getting to know him better helps us to trust in situations where we can’t understand what he is doing.

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  13. Michele, I’ve prayed Jer 29:12-14 over my sons for years. I loved your question, “Is it possible that God isn’t who you thought God was?” When we don’t understand something God has allowed in our lives, the best thing we can do is go to His word and seek to know Him more. This will lead to trust, which offers rest to our hearts. Such wise words here, friend!

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  16. You are so right, things are not always lost but we might just be looking in the wrong place. Ask others for help, sometimes their view is clearer. Thanks for linking up with #MischiefAndMemories

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  19. LOVE this, Michele! You know I think that many of us have ideas about God that need to be corrected. I love the practical advice you offer in this post–and the challenge.

    Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. Honestly, I could feature you every time you join the party, but I try to restrain myself. Still, I’m featuring you this week!

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