blessings or the One who blesses

Due a conversation with a friend, I have been thinking on what we seek when it comes to God.  Too many times we get focused on just the blessings. We talk about the wonderful blessings amd what we get from God.  We often want blessings and want what He has for us. However, while blessings are wonderful and good, we may need to evaluate what we seek after. Are we seeking just blessings or are we seeking the One who gives the blessings? 

I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
Proverbs 8:17 NIV

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 NIV

God's word tells us to seek God.  More the once, God says "Seek Me." He wants and commands us to seek after Him, to put Him first and to seek relationship with our Creator and Savior above all else.  He is a jealous God and wants relationship with Him to be our number one desire.

This is what the Lord says to Israel: “Seek me and live;
Amos 5:4 NIV

Blessings are a byproduct of relationship with God.  Blessings should not be what we seek after. We want all the blessings of the relationship without the commitment. God requires commitment from His people: commitment in worship, in study, in prayer,  in seeking Him. In obedience, in lifestyle, in all our ways. All our ways should belong to Him. We need to put ourselves away and put God first. 

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33 NIV

Blessings come from the commitmemt. Just as in any relationship, the pleasures and benefits come from  the commitmemt, from the learning about the other person, from the mutual love and interest involved.  Blessing comes after the relationship develops.

King David wrote the words:

I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
Psalm 119:10 NIV

He sought after God first, and his concern was obedience to God's commands. He asked God to not allow him to stray from the commands in His Word. David understood that seeking God first was the most important part of the relationship. When we seek after God, He will pour out blessings, meet our needs, and take care of us greatly. He just wants us to seek him first and above all else. Do we run to Him begging for blessings, and pouring out requests without first seeking a relationship with Him? Do we want all the privileges of relationship without committing to the relationship?  Do we wonder why we aren't moving forward and seeing God move?  Maybe we haven't been seeking God and have only wanted blessings  and not the Blessor.  I challenge myseif and others to take some time and evaluate what you have been trying to get from God.  Is it just a bunch of stuff, blessings and benefits, or is it just Him?

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
Isaiah 55:6 NIV

Make relationship with God the priority that you seek. Call on Him. Spend time with him, in prayer, study, fasting , in worship. Spend time in His presence faithfully and daily. That is when He will be able to speak to you, move in you, and use you as He desires. That is when true blessings really come.  What you desire will change and be in line with His will. Seek Him, the rest will be taken care of.  Make Him your first love, your greatest desire, and all you need.