Monday, October 30, 2006

Seek His Face Not His Hand

This subject – seeking God’s face – comes up so often that it’s something that obviously needs everyone’s in-depth attention. Why is seeking God’s face so important?

To answer this question I’ve been taking a look at myself. Maybe in taking this journey with me, you’ll realize or discover something about yourself.

The other day I was thinking about what I believe is the sorry state of certain material and/or financial things in my life. The house in disrepair. The dirty yard. The vehicles that need work. The lack of appropriate attire for every family member. And a couple of other things.

I don’t necessarily pray about these things regularly because I realize that God has provided for all my needs according to His riches, but it is on my mind. Hey, I’m human. So, when those things recently came to mind two things came up with it:

I am thankful that we have a home to live in, a yard to play in, cars to drive, clothes to wear, etc. And instead of focusing on what needs to be improved, changed, fixed or purchased, I can focus on being thankful that we aren’t homeless, wearing tattered, smelly clothes and walking everywhere we need to go.
When I seek God’s face and keep my focus on praising and worshipping Him it’s possible – extremely possible – that His glory will cloud all the material things making them seem less important and less apparent to me. And, ultimately, in the end changing our circumstances.

Oftentimes we can become so disappointed with our circumstances that our vision becomes clouded. This can happen to anyone it’s just a matter of how you deal with it. Honestly, if I’m gonna be telling you my business, you might as well know that I often don’t deal with it well – at least, internally.

In the case of being single and celibate, take for instance when you’re feeling lonely without a spouse and it seems like you’ll be alone forever. If you (we) can push past (y)our disappointment, which can often lead to depression and hopelessness, and wholeheartedly seek and trust in God to be (y)our all then you (we) can find true peace and joy. (I’m talking to you and me.)

It’s not a matter of becoming so content and complacent that we don’t want and seek change. It’s a matter of getting to a place of basking in God’s glory and knowing He will work everything out for your – for our – good.

In the meantime, also keep in mind something Robin McGraw (you know, Dr. Phil’s wife) says in her book “Inside My Heart: Choosing to Live with Passion and Purpose” – “…I know so many people who don’t realize they have the right to choose how they live, people who would be so much happier if only they would examine the connection between what they do and how their lives turn out.”

5 comments:

Heather J. said...
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Heather J. said...
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Anonymous said...

Ok, now that I know that my comment actually submits I will share more.
I did not really know for sure if I knew what it meant to look at the face of God and not his hands. After reading your blog my thoughts were correct. But I love when you shared about being single and celibate. I am as well and I have gone into that depression and worthlessness that you spoke of. However, I am learning to trust in our Father (JESUS) that he knows what is best for me and if he does not send a man my way its just more time I can devote to loving Him. AMEN?
Thank you so much sister for sharing your heart you have a beautiful spirit.

Heather J. said...
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Anonymous said...

Please delete all of my post with my last initial. I could not figure out how to do it. Could you also visit me at mychurch.org/Abba777 and let me know that you did?