Whom are you seeking?

 We spend a lot of time looking or seeking for things. We desire many things, spiritually and physically.  We seek after better health, more money, friendships, relationships, and many other things that are good and some not so good. Spiritually, we seek after blessings, gifts of Spirit, wisdom, or even signs of filling of the Holy Ghost. I have heard and seen many seek after the things of God. This is all good. These are benefits of knowing Him, but are we missing the mark?

Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

John 18:7 NKJV

When the Pharisees came to arrest Jesus, he asked them twice whom they were seeking. They were looking for him. The wanted Jesus, of course, not for the right reasons. They still sought him.

But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Deuteronomy 4:29 NKJV

We are to seek Him and Him alone.  We need to seek Him with all our heart and soul. There is no greater thing we can seek that God himself. Jesus gave us personal access through His sacrifice and resurrection. He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. He is above all. He is Almighty God. He is love. He is peace. He is our strength. He is our creator and our Savior. He should be our everything. He should be the One we are passionate about. The One who consumes us and our greatest desire.  

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:33 KJV

When we seek Him first and above all else, everything we need is taken care of in this world and spiritually.  Too many times,  we seek an aspect of Him rather than just seeking him. We seek a sign or just a little blessing when he wants us to desire Him. We may want a healing  or an answer to a prayer. We may even ask for a sign, for abilities, or a gift of the spirit. These are all good things, but are those becoming our passion rather than the One who gives them? Our hearts must be fastened on Jesus. 

An example in the Bible comes in Acts chapter 8.

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,  Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.  But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.  Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Acts 8:18‭-‬22 KJV

When Simon saw the Holy Ghost fall on the believers he wanted that power so much that he wanted to buy it.  He did not understand the truth that he really needed to seek God. Peter told him his heart was not right. Our hearts may not be right. I am not saying we are wrong to desire gifts or things of God because he did tell us to desire the best gifts. But when the gift is of more importance than Him, we have misplaced our desire on a part of the benefits of knowing Him rather than just knowing Him. He is all we could ever need.  All the other stuff comes when we know Jesus and seek Him above all else.  

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on  You, Because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 26:3 NKJV

So I examine my own heart. Whom or what am I seeking?  Am I seeking God or just a benefit? I want to keep my eyes stayed on Him. My only real desire is to know Him.  I want to trust Him for everything else. My heart will cry, "I only want You, God!" When we keep Him first, he will provide all the benefits we need in the spiritual and in the physical. We can truly trust that he is doing what is best for us for He is good. When He is the center, he will lead us, use us, protect us, and give us the desires of our heart.  Seek Him first.