We Seek Him 1

Hosea 6:6

We have just recently celebrated Mother’s Day and soon we will be honoring fathers as well. As we think about holidays where we give gifts we may be struggling with exactly what we are supposed to give to that person who will receive the gift. It is always nice to get a gift that is exactly what you wanted, something that fits your needs or desires perfectly. However, I believe what is most essential is not the specific gift, but rather the idea that you took time to think about that gift and remember the recipient.

We encounter Jesus in several different ways in our faith. We are invited into communion with God. Sometimes we need the help of God. And other times we realize that we need to have that relationship so we seek Jesus.

As we look at how we enter into a relationship with our Lord we can ask ourselves what it is that we are supposed to bring to this encounter. Are we supposed to give expensive gifts? Are we supposed to act like someone we are not? Are there certain words we need to speak?

In truth, although God can use the gifts we bring and there are certain words we may use as we worship the Lord and pray to God, the most essential part of encountering Christ is our attitude. Hosea offers a message from God. What does God want? What does God not want?

If we truly want to encounter Jesus there aren’t any special tricks or rituals we need to perform to have that relationship. Instead, we need to come to the Lord with a willing heart and a soul that desires to be in unity with Christ. To achieve that, we must begin with a heart of mercy. We must come to Jesus with a humble attitude acknowledging that God is the Almighty One who is to be honored and praised.

We can’t buy a place in God’s love. We can’t sacrifice enough things in our life to make God reserve a place for us. God wants us to be loving and caring, humble and merciful. God desires that we should desire the relationship that He wants to have with us.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you be certain to have the right attitude when you come to God?