As the sun’s morning rays broke across the cloudy sky, I ran along the beach front near to our house. It was quiet. My daughter had just left by the first morning bus to school. I had earlier driven my older son to the bus stop in the next town so that he, too, could catch his bus. Now, it was time to get my morning exercise, while at the same time pray for my loved ones and reflect upon and seek His guidance for the day.
It’s a lovely time in the morning in the early quiet, before the hustle of the day is upon us. Some fisherman were preparing the boat to enter the sea and I watched as they performed their early morning vigil of putting the boat into the water and then up and away onto the sea. A few other early morning risers walked along the front, some scurrying off to work, while others meandered along in what seemed like a more meditating mood. A friend of mine had bought his morning paper and stood gazing out to the sea before turning and heading off to his local café for the day’s work ahead.
Why is it we are so drawn to the quiet of the seaside or stillness of the mountain? I have recently joined a trailblazer’s club. Once a month they organize a hiking event in the mountains. The scenic views are indescribably beautiful. They are breath-taking. In the group you find people of all walks of life; parents with their young teens or older children, lawyers, teachers, hair-dressers, students, retirees etc, all drawn to the mountain.
Why is it we yearn for the quiet places like mountains and early morning walks along the beach? What are we yearning for? What is it that we desire? What is it that we are lacking within ourselves that drives us to get up early and sacrifice to climb that mountain trail or walk along that beach?
As the psalmist wrote, “As the hart (deer) pants after the water brooks, so pants my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?”[1] Is it that we are searching for God? That we are seeking His presence, His benediction on our weary lives? When I was young, I remember going into the church and feeling God’s presence in the quiet and stillness of the great ornate building. But today, those old building do not have the same affect. Today’s generation is looking elsewhere.
People are trying to become one with nature, to become one with the universal life force. But what exactly are they seeking? Is it that they want to become one with God, the creator of the universe and the creator of nature itself, but they do not know how to? Or are they worshipping the creature instead the creator? Has their rejection of institutionalized religion led them away from the true God of the Bible and into the arms of the New Age philosophies?
I believe the human heart of this generation longs for God just as much as any generation has before us. God himself has put that longing for His presence within us so that our spirit yearns for reconnection with Him. As the Bible says, “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”[2]
Perhaps the gadgets, the iPods, the phones and computers, the television and radios drown out the voice of God, drown out His presence. We walk like zombies, not knowing where we are going or why. We do not want to think seriously about life and answer the big questions, but would rather eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we may die. Yet death is a terror to us. We do all that is possible to avoid its presence.
The Lord says, “Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities them that fear Him.”[3] Do you have a fear of God, a respectful awe-inspiring admiration for His creation, for His presence? Are you seeking God during that early morning walk or nature walk in the evening or on the weekend? He is not far from you, as Paul has so wisely said.
“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being.”[4]
Are you seeking for that universal life force, the power of love? He is not far from any of us. He waits patiently at our heart’s door, waiting for us to ask Him in. His name is Jesus. You can find his testimony in the New Testament. He not only performed miracles to verify His divinity, but spoke words of life and love that have been an encouragement to countless millions for hundreds of generations. He is the great “I Am,”[5] The mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.[6]
Like Einstein said, “I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene....No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life.”[7]
We walk along the beach or in the mountains; we walk in nature, because we sense the presence of God. We sense his eternal perfection and love. Jesus is the ultimate manifestation of God’s eternal perfection and love. Through Him we regain our connection with God, we regain God’s presence in our life. That’s why He said, “he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst.”[8]
In the Old Testament we read, “Ho, every one that thirsts, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and you labour for that which satisfies not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.”[9] Jesus is the everlasting covenant; He is the sure mercies of David.
“Behold, I have given him (Jesus) for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knows not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel (Jesus); for he hath glorified thee. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.”[10] Will you call upon Him? Or will you spend your time and money on things that ultimately do not satisfy that deepest yearning of your soul?
Jesus loves you and wants to help put real meaning into your life. He wants you to experience a love that will never let you go, never disappoint you, never betray you. Will you open your heart’s door? Will you let Him in? You could pray a little prayer like this from your heart:
Jesus, I am not sure you are what you say you are, I am not even sure you are there, but I am seeking. I am tired of this life I have without meaning, without answers. Modern philosophies have left me empty and confused. The things I have tried have left me dry and in want. If you are there, come into my heart, help me. I cannot go on any longer. I need help. Jesus, forgive me for ignoring you. Please, help me, manifest yourself to me. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen
Or maybe, you know the Lord, but have let the cares and riches of this present world choke out His presence in your life and you need to renew your relationship with Him. The Bible says, “Seek and ye shall find.”[11] It says, “Ye shall seek me and find me when you shall search for me with all your heart.”[12] “Call unto me, and I will answer thee.”[13] If you have called, God will answer. Not only will He answer, but He will show you great and mighty things, which you knew not. May God bless you and keep you and help in your relationship with Him. If you need my help in any way, please feel free to write me at dennismedwards@gmail.com. Love, Dennis
copyright@DennisE.Molinski
Notes
[1] Psalm 42:1-2
[2] Galatians 4:6
[3] Psalm 103:13
[4] Acts 17:24-28
[5] Exodus 3:14
[6] Isaiah 9:6
[7] http://gentleislam.com/love/pages/einstein.htm
[8] John 6:35
[9] Isaiah 55:1-3
[10] Isaiah 55:4-6
[11] Matthew 7:7
[12] Jeremiah 29:13
[13] Jeremiah 33:3
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