Seek God

Human beings tend to be seekers.

Since the beginning of time we have sought answers to the question of our existence. We seek ways to understand the workings of the universe. We seek answers about why things happen as they do. As a culture we are always seeking the American dream. We continually look for ways to create greater health and reduce pain and suffering. We seek ways to make our own lives easier, more enjoyable and fulfilling. At the same time we desire an improved life for those we love and for people around the world. Seeking seems to be part of our human nature.

The results of our efforts show up in numerous and amazing ways. Technologies have been developed to help extend life, interrupt the spread of disease, decrease the effort of laborious tasks, provide comforts and give access to information that is unprecedented. We have all benefited in untold ways from the seeking of people to make life better. Yet, no matter how advanced our technologies or how much improvement is made in creature comforts, we find our world continues to be in grave jeopardy. Often, the very advances that we make in one area cause problem in another. Our capacity to find and extract oil for greatly needed energy brings up difficult environmental problems. Drugs that can save lives have horrible side effects. Getting tougher on crime, although important to our safety, generates enormous issues for law enforcement and those working in social services and corrections.

This is not only true for our country or world. This is also true in our own individual or family lives. So often we take a step toward what we think will generate a good and positive response to a problem only to find that another has cropped up behind it. Life is complex and the problems we face, both individually and globally, will not be solved by logic and reasoning alone. We need wisdom that goes beyond what is rational to that which embraces the mystical.

There is a verse from the Bible that I remember memorizing for Sunday school and later learning as a song. It is from Matthew 6:33 and these words from Jesus say, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." Although it seems pretty simple and straightforward, I don't know that I have ever really understood this passage. I know that in my own life I have done a great deal of seeking. My seeking has often been to understand, to find an answer or to figure out how to get myself out of a problem. I seek after things that I want and ways to avoid things I don't want. In the midst of all this seeking, I have also spent a great deal of my life seeking the all-knowing Spirit I call God.

I have read countless books, diligently studied the Bible and other sacred texts, prayed and meditated regularly. I have often been confounded that my seeking has not led to the part that says"…and all these things will be added unto you". It isn't that I have been without clothes, food or shelter as is true of so many of my fellow human beings. I have been blessed abundantly in many ways. But there is much that I have desired, hoped for and asked that has apparently not been "added unto me." I'd like to understand these words of Jesus. As a result, I have begun asking a new question. What exactly does it mean to seek what I call God, and others might call by another name? This question brings to mind another Biblical passage from Luke 17:20 where Jesus says, "The Kingdom of God is within you." I think that seeking what we understand to be God is different than seeking understanding, knowledge or answers. Seeking God is about having an experience of the presence of God within oneself. I have not had this kind of experience often, but since I began this kind of seeking, I have had momentary glimpses of being one with God. My seeking now looks like silent waiting and listening. I rest my mind in my heart and breathe, knowing that my very breath is evidence of the Spirit. I may do this for 30 seconds or 30 minutes, but each time my body relaxes and I feel a sense of peace filling me. When I return to my day, I have changed. I am more open and receptive. I handle problems with greater ease and I am often in awe of how things work out for good.

I believe that the answers to many of the questions we face individually and in our world today will come as we learn how to be in regular contact with the Spirit whose power and presence is waiting to be expressed and known in you and in me. We need to utilize all the learning and knowledge we have gathered about who our God is, and take it into our heart to have an experience of the living One who animates our very being. This is how we go beyond words and thoughts into the presence of God. This is where we experience how God "adds all these things unto us". Acknowledge the Spirit you call God, deep in the silence of your heart. Seek God in the center of your being. Move into life knowing that the activity of God leads you, guides you and fills your needs.

I have much to learn about how to keep my focus on seeking God. I am certain that life will afford me regular opportunities to keep practicing every day. I believe that when we seek God, we are living our purpose, and God shows up in astonishing ways through our living and being in the world.

Paula Becker is a Licensed Psychologist and President of Burnsville Counseling & Healing Center. She is also co-founder of the Institute for Peace and Joy. For individual appointments or to inquire about workshops, retreats, or speaking for your organization, you may contact her at 952-435-4144. For information about our services, please visit our website at http://www.counselingandhealing.com/

05/05/08  By By Paula Becker