The verse has been stirring on my heart for a week already. To see it on my calendar as I tore the page off, caused me to pause and think a bit.
Our 3YO granddaughter comes to our house at least four days a week. She almost always asks to take something home with her, and always “pinkie promises” to bring it back.
Often things “go missing” and can take time to locate. She has become very good at hiding things and it has become the big joke at our house.
We have a Melissa & Doug nativity set which she has loved from the beginning and has yet to be put away. At this point, I think it will remain out until next Christmas.
The sweetness with which she regards “the little Lord Jesus” is precious. She always refers to Him in that manner, never shortening it to solely “Jesus”.
Recently when she left, I noticed “the little Lord Jesus” was missing. I continued to hunt for Him for several days, knowing I had to find Him before she came again.
Sitting on the couch one day, I was taken by surprise while talking on the phone and joyfully shouted, “I found Jesus!”
Across the room, on the shelf of the television cabinet, somewhat hidden from view, lay the little Lord Jesus.
I have been unable to put Him in His proper place with the nativity set as He continues to speak to me each time I notice Him.
Do I miss Him when time is not spent with Him? Do I search for Him?
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”
(Jeremiah 29:13, NASB)
One word, stood out again – when.
There are times when it seems like God is quiet or can’t be found, and we seem to wonder “why� Or where is He? We tend to cast the fault on Him as if He is able of ignoring us, or is keeping a distance.
Yet if I am reading this verse correctly, the fault lies totally with us. We have the responsibility to seek Him with all our heart.
Perhaps the question that needs to be asked is, “What does it mean to seek Him with all my heart?â€. Other versions many shed some light:
- “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.†(NLT)
- “When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul.†(NET)
- “Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart†(Amplified)
Seeking Him with all my heart involves more than a cursory once over. It takes a wholeheartedness. It takes prayer. Worship is involved. He becomes a vital necessity to living. It involves more than we are willing to give some days.
“If we seek Him, we will find Him when we want Him more than all else.â€
(New American Commentary, page 254)
The key to finding Him is wanting Him more than we want anything or anyone else. He is to be our first choice and not something we default to only when all else fails. The question we need to ask ourselves is, “How much do we want to find Him?â€
For we shall find Him … when.
When I need Him as a necessity to live.
When I give Him all of my heart.
Doubts. We all experience them from time to time. But what are we to do with them? Are we to voice them? In her post, “What Happens When We’re Honest About Our Doubt”, Abby McDonald brings beautiful encouragement. “When we voice our doubt, Jesus can expel it with his voice of truth.” This post was not in the linkup but you can read it HERE.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Today I am joining …
Hi Joanne, this is definitely a theme for me lately. I definitely find I am seeking more, deeper, and with a greater longing than ever before. Thank you for the encouragement to continue doing so. I will be back later to link up, seems I’m a little early 🙂
God bless
Tracy
I am continually seeking the One who seeks me. Glad you found Jesus! I need to research M and D nativity! The grands would love it!
Joanne, this story speaks so much to my heart! That verse came across my path recently and gave me pause to consider exactly how I am seeking Christ, and what does it mean to seek Him with my whole heart?
Such good food for thought, each and every day!
What a sweet post ma’am. I’ve run out of sweet words to think about this post. 🙂 God’s blessings.
I am on a journey of seeking Him daily. I recently ran across this verse: “Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.” Ps. 105:4 NASB
This is a hunt I need to be on 24/7. I need Him 24/7.
I love that you yelled out, “I found Jesus!”
I have been pondering about seeking the Lord with my whole heart, Joanne, but I haven’t been able to articulate it. Your post has given me the next step in my journey of seeking Him. Thanks for sharing!
What a sweet story about finding Jesus in unexpected places. And this post is a good reminder that seeking Him is not a passive activity.
I love your story of your grandchild and finding Jesus. May I seek Him always.
Oh, the things that we learn when we have children in our lives!
I hadn’t put emphasis on the word “when” in Jeremiah 29:13. It is our responsibility. Jesus also said to “come” didn’t He? Food for thought today, Joanna!
I just love that, “I found Jesus”! I have a nativity that is out all year too. It’s from my son, brought from Peru. Such a great reminder of the promise of our Savior! Oh, that we might need Him more than anything else!
I so loved the vehicle you used to bring us into the heart of the message – it’s a double blessing when, after our children have grown up and out, that our grandchildren give us those sweet moments only children can give that open our eyes to greater truth! You say, “as if He is able of ignoring us, or is keeping a distance” – this went straight to my heart – that He is a God who is so full of love, that He cannot help himself but to draw close and be attentive – and we need to be that way to Him! This just blessed my heart today, Joanne! ~ Shalom, Maryleigh
I love the sweet lesson God sent you. Even from a child’s toy.
“the little Lord Jesusâ€
This, right there, is so precious and beautiful. May she continue to grow to be a sweet, godly woman of Integrity and kindness.
I love how the Lord speaks to us in the everyday little things Joanne! 😊
Blessings,
Jennifer
Children provide us with such a beautiful example of faith. Oh, how I pray that I will seek and exult over Him as your sweet granddaughter does over “the little Lord Jesus”.
Blessings,
Tammy
I wish I could have been there when you “found Jesus,†Joanne! I love that you’ve kept the Nativity out all year so you and your granddaughter can talk about “the little Lord Jesus.†🙂 Such an encouraging reminder … that we will find Jesus when we seek Him. Hugs, friend.