7-20-2015

Good Morning All!!

          Zephaniah 2:3; “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility”

      I remember an old joke that used to make the rounds.  A young man was in the garage and he was lifting things up and moving them.  His father watched and could tell that he was searching for something so he asked his son what he was looking for.  The young man replied that he had lost the key to the lock of his bike.  So the father began to help him look.  Soon his mother joined in the search and the three of them searched every square inch of the garage; they left absolutely nothing unmoved or unsearched.  After a couple hours they decided to take a break, get a drink and start over. The mother, knowing her son well, began to ask him questions about the last time he saw the key, etc.  Finally the mother came to the conclusion that the boy lost the key in the basement of the house.  The boy responded that was probably right.  The confused and exasperated father asked, “why were we looking in the garage?” The boy responded, “because the lighting was better.”

    There are many times when I listen to people speak of their “spiritual quest”; I think they are looking in the wrong room.  They use catch phrases that they either heard on Oprah or read in the latest tabloid in the checkout lane.  “Finding yourself” or “Cosmic unity” or “conscience enhancing” sound like a lot of work especially when you are really looking in the wrong room and you will not find what you are looking for.  If you desire to seek the Lord, you need to look in the right room.  You need to look for him where he said he would be.

     Jesus told us where to look for him.  He told us to read the Scriptures, to engage in an active prayer life and to live a life of humility and to do justly by our neighbor.  We will find Jesus right where he said he would be.  He is in his Word.  He is there just as he promised.  He is in the bread and the wine where he waits to nourish us and to renew our soul.

    Jesus is where he said he would be and if we are truly seeking him out that is where we will look.  He is in his Word and in his sacrament.  He desires to live in your heart and to bring you peace.  Will you seek him or are you looking in the wrong room?

Father of mercy, lead me to seek you in the places that you have promised to be.  Guide us by your Spirit to live the life that you have given to us.  Grant us the peace that comes from seeking you.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret