Seekers of Your Heart

A few weeks ago my pastor spoke a word of truth to my heart that I've been wrestling with. This afternoon, I spoke with his lovely wife, a beloved friend and trusted counselor, and that word resurfaced...and now it is something I cannot ignore.



Initially, it was in reference to the parable of the Prodigal Son. I've always loved that story of homecoming and redemption, but to be completely honest, I've never related much to the prodigal personally because in my pride-filled mind, although I fully acknowledge that I am a sinner, I haven't blatantly run off into a rebellious lifestyle. I actually relate more to the brother who stayed home and got huffy when the prodigal returned to be received into open arms. The problem with him was, though he was faithful to his father, it was out of duty, obligation, what was in it for him, and not as an outward expression of his love for his father...that hurt His father as much as the rebellion.



So the question was posed, "Do you love the Father because of who He is or because of what He can do for you?". Do I love Him because I'm a Christian and I'm "supposed to"? Do I love Him only when He gives me blessings or can I love Him during the pain? Do I love the things He does for me or can I be content just to be with Him, not expecting anything in return? Do I really even know who He is, do I know His heart?



My Dad suffered a stroke right before Christmas and has made amazing strides in his recovery. He apologizes to us for not being well, for not being able to do for us what once came easy. Truth is, I don't miss the things he can't do because I am just so grateful for what he means to me and that he is still with us. Its not about what he can do, its about who he is.



God loves me far more than my daddy ever could. He loves me with an unconditional steadfast fierce love that beckons me to know Him, to know His heart. So often I get distracted by His gifts, His action or what sometimes feels like inaction. But what I fail to realize is that all God does for me and in me is because of who He is and how much He cares for me. He wants me to know Him. He wants me to crawl up in His lap and just be happy to be with Him with no expectations, with no wish list. How often have I done this? Not nearly as much as I ought.



The purpose of the Christian life is to become like Christ, to strive after holiness, to emulate the character of God which will draw others to Him. How can I be like Him when I don't know His heart? How can I be like Him by simply knowing what He does and not who He IS?



I find myself so drawn to people of faith, places of faith, workings of faith - while those are blessings,  what I should realize is that in those things, what I am really being drawn to is God Himself. He wants to be my the Love of my Life, the Treasure of my Heart. He wants to have quiet moments of just being with me. He wants my adoration as much as I crave His.



Lord, help me to realize that all I long for is found in You. Thank you for those in my life who point me to You and help me see that my relationship with you should not be based on what You do, but WHO YOU ARE. Thank you for loving me so much that You want my attention, You want to spend time with me, You want me to truly know You and seek Your heart, You want me to fall in love with You.



Seekers of Your Heart



Until we give You first place
Until we let You begin
To fill us with your spirit
Renew us from within
Nothing matters
Nothing's gained
Without your Holy presence
Our lives are lived in vain

Lord we want to know You
Live our lives to show You
All the love we owe You
We're seekers of your heart

Because your heart was broken
Because You saw the need
Because You gave so freely
Because of Calvary
We can now be
Called your own
Completed creations
Filled with You alone



Lord we want to know You
Live our lives to show You
All the love we owe You
We're seekers of your heart