“As the deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God, my soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” -Psalm 42:1-2 (ESV)
“The birthplace of Christian fasting is homesickness for God.” -John Piper
There have been times in my life when the above verses captured my heart perfectly. I FELT hungry for God. There is a longing for God in our spirits that when truly felt is more powerful than the desire felt as lovers approach their wedding day. It is more powerful than the desire for food and drink. It is greater than anything that would move and motivate us.
But I have not always FELT that desire...
There are times when my heart is cold and God seems distant. There are times when I could care less. There are times when numbness or pain seem to be the dominating things that I am feeling.
I have come to see that at a very real level I can CHOOSE what motivates me. Often that process begins by realizing what motivates me in the first place and deciding if that is really what I want to be the driving force in my life. I cannot directly control my feelings, but by focus on what is REAL, by focus on TRUTH, by humble dependence on GOD I can direct the life of my heart – including my feelings.
“The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.” -Psalm 10:4 (NKJV)
“Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore!” -Psalm 105:4
I am called to “look for Him”. If and when I do so I have the promise that I will find Him. It is for this reason that I must prepare my heart, and be intentional about the process. It is an individual road in that none can walk it for you. Yet there is a commonality to all our experiences that we can be an encouragement to each other as we walk the road.
So I'm preparing myself. I crying out. I'm trying to listen. In my restlessness and frustrations I am trying to hear His voice, to allow His still small voice to be heard above my sometime inner squaking. It seems as though I can't waltz right into the Temple (though I have the right and the call to come boldly) and expect to hear and to experience. I must prepare my heart or the inner noise and the busyness of life and the desire for other things (none of them 10 commandment sinful) will make my meeting with Him difficult to impossible.
So – we're setting aside Feb 1-21 as a time to “look for Him”, a time to pray and fast. As you're a part of this family I really hope that you will join in – at the place where you are. He will meet us,and we will find Him – if we look for Him.
“When you said 'Seek my face', my heart said to You, 'Your face, LORD I will seek'.” -Psalm 27:8 (NKJV)
Seeking His Heart With You,
Pastor Tom
Pastors Tom & Cindy
