“Pilgrim Reflections” - “What Are You Seeking?”

Interesting question, isn’t it?

Yes, indeed—and, in reality, it’s one that demands an answer if our lives here are to have any meaning and purpose here on earth. Why is that? Simply because if we’re seeking those things which can’t satisfy that deep, inner longing within us, then it follows that we’ll never find what we’re looking for.

There’s no doubt King Solomon, David’s son, was incredibly blessed by God. When God asked him what he desired from Him, Solomon replied “Give, therefore, Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your People” (I Kings 3:9); in other words, he asked God for wisdom.

And, that’s exactly what God gave him—along with fame and fortune (vv.10-13). But, soon, those became his liability: because he strayed from God and his 1,000 pagan wives and concubines “turned his heart away from God,” which ultimately led to his downfall (I Kings 11:1-11).

Yes, Solomon started out strong, but ended up weak. In reality, his book of Ecclesiastes is his depressing, death-bed memoirs: where the theme is “Vanity, vanity, all is vanity and vexation of spirit under the sun” (Eccl. 1:2-3, 17).

Simply put, Solomon said “I tried it all—wisdom, hard work, wealth, wine, women and song, etc.—but it all amounted to naught: for there’s ‘One Event’ (Death) that happens to us all” (Eccl. 2:14; 9:2-3).

Wow! Pretty sad, summary-statement of his life, wasn’t it?

Most assuredly—and that’s why we must make sure the things we’re seeking (e.g., power, prestige, popularity, possessions, etc.) don’t ultimately succumb to “rust, rot and robbers” (Matthew 6:19-21).

So, the question, then, is “How do we know if we’re seeking the right thing?”

And, thankfully, the Answer is “Seek Christ. Seek to ‘know Him and the Power of His Resurrection’ (Phil. 3:10). Seek Him first in everything you do, not second or third or fourth, etc.’ Only then will you find what you’re really looking for: Life, Light and Love.”

Now, please realize I’m not talking about religion, theology, philosophy or some ideology; no, I’m talking about a personal relationship with the God of the universe.

“Oh, you’re ‘one of them’,” the atheist or agnostic says.

“Yes, you’re one of those ‘religious fanatics’,” cries the “woke” skeptic, relativist, humanist, hedonist, secularist, socialist, communist, etc.

May be (in your estimation); but, like the blind man Jesus healed in John 9:1-41, I only know this: “I was blind, but now I see” (v.25).

“What does that mean?” the above-mentioned mockers ask.

And, my answer is simple: after being abandoned by my biological parents and adopted into a dysfunctional family where we were continually beaten, I felt like no one loved or cared for me. I was so lonely and afraid.

But, one night in a revival service in a small, country church in central Arkansas, I realized that God was real and loved me very, very much; in fact, enough to send His Son, Jesus, to the Cross to die in my place so I could be forgiven and adopted into His Family.

And, ever since that night (at the age of seven), I’ve devoted my life to better knowing Him and serving Him. Like Paul said, “I don’t count myself to have ‘arrived;’ but I’ve chosen to forget the past and passionately pursue knowing Jesus better through all the years” (Philippians 3:10-14).

Even though I’ve failed Him many, many times, He keeps reminding me that we’re made right with Him by His Grace (not works) and “it’s by His Mercies that we don’t get what we deserve” (Lamentations 3:21-23).

So, I guess you could call me a “satisfied customer” or, as one person described it, “One beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.”

What are you seeking right now? Are you needing Hope and Assurance? Peace-of-mind and freedom from fear? If so, find all of that (and more) in Jesus—the “Friend of sinners” and that “One Who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24; Luke 7:34).

(NOTE: If you’d like to contact Bro. Tom or receive his daily e-mail devotional, entitled “Morning Manna,” you can write him at P.O. Box 614, Mulberry, AR 72947 or e-mail him at pressingon@hotmail.com).