Why do we seek things other than God? Do we fear that if we do not seek other things we want, life will be mediocre?
That is the same lie told in the Garden of Eden—the lie that God is withholding His best from us. The truth is that God’s plan endures throughout eternity and exceeds all we can desire. The very best purpose in life is to actively rely on God.
The Old Testament encourages us to respond to God instead of reacting to circumstances. In the book of Jeremiah, God tells the people of Judah that He has an eternal purpose. He encourages them to seek God in all circumstances.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
God has an eternal purpose for us and wants us to seek Him with all our heart in all circumstances. He knows what our heart desires. God knows the secrets of our heart (Ps. 44:21) and the excuses of our heart (Luke 16:15). God knows all about us. Our dependence is covered in Who am I (Part 4). We are the ones who are deceived by what our heart desires.
The New Testament also encourages us to respond to God instead of reacting to circumstances. Jesus reminded us what to seek in
Matthew 6:33
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Paul reminds us to be intentional to seek and set our mind on eternal things.
Colossians 3:1-2
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
One way we can become more aware of the desires of our heart is to ask ourselves a few questions. What do you spend time and money on, talk about, or put most of your energy into?
The answers will reveal what you intentionally seek. God calls us to seek things that are eternal. The next time you are investing time, money, words, and energy into something, consider if this investment will go into eternity with you.