A research team was commissioned to report on the transition of college graduates into the workforce. One of the findings disturbed the administration and it was buried in the back of the document. It appears that job placement, though generous in nature, has caused a lack of pursuit among the graduates. They are told that it is the university’s responsibility to help them find the right career path, i.e., a job. Ultimately, the failure of “seeking” or searching has caused a stir, especially when the transition does not occur.

I submit that there is a value in the search, all by itself. Seeking makes a demand of us. It takes focus and effort. We rearrange our time and energy during the pursuit. That effort alone can be the catalyst for other disciplines. When the “thing” we are searching for is found, a spirit of thankfulness also emerges, perhaps even a relief.

Remove the seeking and we also remove desire, expectation, and discipline. The psalmist commissioned us to “seek the Lord” on multiple occasions. Solomon wrote that they that Prov. 28:5 “seek the LORD understand all things.” Amos gave a glimmer of hope to Israel when he said, Amos 5:6 “Seek the LORD, and ye shall live.” Paul even wrote that God ordained the times just so men would “seek the Lord and find Him.”

The concern is that the modern day believer often thinks that it is God’s obligation to find us; that we have no part in this relationship. Millions have been misled, thinking that prayer is nonessential and fasting is out of date. Daniel prayed three weeks without an answer. He never stopped seeking. I wonder how many have given up too soon or became discouraged because the answer did not come when they prayed. Jesus’ parable pointed to the unjust judge who answered the desperate mother: “because of your importunity I will grant your request.” It was her continual coming and persistence that brought the answer.

If we are to find what we need; see the miracle that we desire, then we must press forward in seeking the face of God. The best things in this spiritual walk come through pursuing and searching. There is no transition team handing out answers to prayers. The Kingdom demands our focus, time, and energy. What we find along the way is a rearranged life; a new set of priorities and a desire for God Himself.

My prayer for you is that you find Him. My prayer is that while you are seeking for the “thing” that you want, you will draw close to the Giver of the gift and the gift will be far less important.

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole

Photography John Watson wrote, “focus is more than simply sharpness or being able to see what you are looking at. Focus is enhancing the subject by making it stand out from its surroundings.” The famed Caravaggio thought the same. Caravaggio used dark shades of color to pull his subjects to the forefront. Some artists/photographers forget this principle, leaving the viewer with no central figure. Watson noted that without focus, the picture or scene is devalued.

Consider the environment around the birth of Jesus. A virgin brings forth a child; a guiding star and a choir of angels are present. Bethlehem fulfills the prophecy of old; subsequent chaos ensues in the courtyard of King Herod. There is so much background, all of it significant in its own right. Even still, the focus is The Eternal taking the form of the mortal. God comes as a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. He is the Consolation of Israel and a Light to the Gentiles. There is so much to see that the focus can easily drift from His purpose. He came as a sacrificial lamb, born to die for the sins of the world.

Decorations are temporary. “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” has but a few verses. “Joy to the World” will be a brief melody sung by the choir and our decor will soon be replaced. His purpose was far greater than our momentary celebration: His sacrifice more significant than the season in which we find ourselves. Besides, seasons change, His Blood remains.

I offer more than just a holiday. I present the “Logos” conceived in the dimension of the heavenly long before His arrival. Redemption demanded a blood sacrifice. Paul wrote that we were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish and without spot.

We sing and give gifts in honor of His birth, but we know that He is the reason for our salvation. Jesus said that he gave his life as a “ransom for many.” However, if we keep Him as just the “reason for the season,” then we might miss the purpose of His coming. He came to die for and take away the debt levied against us. I urge you to pull Him to the forefront and make all other things obscure.

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole