December 5th, 2023
Tuesday, December 5th
How to Seek Him
By: Anna Williams
When the Magi were made aware that Christ had been born, they journeyed from distant lands to seek him out for the chance to be in his presence. Many religions to this day still practice pilgrimages to their holy sites so that followers can feel closer to their gods.
But Jesus ended this toiling and striving once and for all when he sacrificed himself on the cross. When the veil of the temple tore, our access to God became readily available to anyone who genuinely prayed in the name of the Way, the Truth and the Life. Jesus provides immediate access to God when we seek him in earnest.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV
Sometimes life can bring so much chaos to our lives that we get caught up in putting out the fires and we unwittingly fall into a habit of self-reliance. Then as the fires get bigger, we realize that it’s getting out of hand, and we become anxious.
I recently heard a sound bite from a sermon referencing the verses above and it struck a nerve. The pastor said that Peter was reminding us that trying to solve these problems on our own is a form of pride. It's an arrogance that says “I got this, God” when really, we’re floundering. The best hope for our anxiety is for us to confess “God, I need your help” and to seek him out.
Jesus put in the hard work so that we could have unfettered access to God through the Holy Spirit. But we must do our part – going before God in prayer with a humble heart and with the trust that he loves us and is our source of hope.
How to Seek Him
By: Anna Williams
When the Magi were made aware that Christ had been born, they journeyed from distant lands to seek him out for the chance to be in his presence. Many religions to this day still practice pilgrimages to their holy sites so that followers can feel closer to their gods.
But Jesus ended this toiling and striving once and for all when he sacrificed himself on the cross. When the veil of the temple tore, our access to God became readily available to anyone who genuinely prayed in the name of the Way, the Truth and the Life. Jesus provides immediate access to God when we seek him in earnest.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV
Sometimes life can bring so much chaos to our lives that we get caught up in putting out the fires and we unwittingly fall into a habit of self-reliance. Then as the fires get bigger, we realize that it’s getting out of hand, and we become anxious.
I recently heard a sound bite from a sermon referencing the verses above and it struck a nerve. The pastor said that Peter was reminding us that trying to solve these problems on our own is a form of pride. It's an arrogance that says “I got this, God” when really, we’re floundering. The best hope for our anxiety is for us to confess “God, I need your help” and to seek him out.
Jesus put in the hard work so that we could have unfettered access to God through the Holy Spirit. But we must do our part – going before God in prayer with a humble heart and with the trust that he loves us and is our source of hope.
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