Pilgrims of Heart

“You have said, ’Seek My Face.’

My heart says to You,

‘Your Face Lord do I seek.’” Ps.27:8

David reveals an intimate conversation with God. God started it with an invitation, “Seek My Face.” The heart of the King heard the whisper of the Lord and it resonated with his deepest longings. David answered with a commitment, “Your Face Lord, I do seek!” It is not presumption to say that God’s grace extends the invitation beyond David. God’s welcome is whispered to every one of us.

We are created to be seekers of God. We are explorers of the spiritual life. We live with our feet on the ground but our eyes on heavenly realities. We are pilgrims whose destination is not any particular location, but God Himself, who dwells everywhere. Our quest is only possible because Jesus has created the way. The Spirit guides our steps upon the path of His Word. We are moved less by duty and more by desire. It is a journey we must make on our own, but with the support of a community of faith. This seeking is not easily nor quickly accomplished. To know an infinite God may take infinity. But the challenge doesn’t dampen the longing. The heart knows what it wants and what it’s shaped for. As Jesus taught us, eternal life is to know God. (Jn.17:3)

Few among us would debate the preceding paragraphs. We recognize the Biblical truths and sense the “rightness” within our chest. But we would also have to confess a problem. While we are meant to be seekers of God, many live without passion or progress. They live as already arrived. In “The Pursuit of God”, Tozer speaks of those who are snared by a “spurious logic which insists that if we have been found by Him, we need no more seek Him.” They are like a young couple at the altar who believe that their marriage is fulfilled simply by saying “I do.” But it is not done. There is so much more.

So, I write these blogs to three groups -first, to all those who have stalled in their quest. They may have ceased seeking, perhaps enthralled by other distractions or worse; enveloped by a cynicism that denies the possibility that God can satisfy their longings. To those with eyes darkened to God’s nearness and brightened by other attractions, Jesus asks, “What do you want Me to do for you?” He can still give new sight.

Second – I write to those who have embraced other efforts (even Christian efforts) as substitute to seeking God. Some have become satisfied with knowing about God. They are theologically insightful and Biblically astute, but theory of God is no replacement for the personal and conscious knowing of God. The same may be said for those who fill their spiritual journey with kingdom business or should I say busy-ness. Both knowledge and ministry are applauded in heaven but they do not replace the intimacy of devout love.

Third – I write to the hungry. Many of us come to a stage in our faith where we have been stripped to the essentials. We begin to echo David once more,

“My soul thirsts for You. My flesh faints for You.” (Ps.63:1)

These longings of heart may feel like a problem, when in fact they are evidence of life. Healthy hearts hunger for God – and they shall be filled.

The truth is that I may fall into one of these groupings and transit back and forth many times in a day. I’ve discovered that seekers become proficient by renewed intent and repeated practice. We can refresh our identity as seekers of God, confident that He is always present to receive us. So let’s begin together. Our intent may take various forms, but these commonalities unite us. Scripture and prayer will be our means. The Spirit will enable our pace. Jesus travels with us. The Father strides towards us. We journey with the promise of Matthew 7:7. Those who ask, receive. The ones who knock, are welcomed. All seekers, will find.