In John chapter 1, verses 35-42, we see the interaction between two of John the Baptist’s disciples with Jesus. As the two men were following Jesus, Jesus turned to them and asked, “What are you seeking?”
“What are you seeking?” That’s a question I often ask myself. What is my heart desiring and my mind chasing after? What are my deepest longings or the fears or thought patterns driving those longings? What am I seeking?
Sometimes before I can figure out what I’m seeking, I first have to ask myself what state my own soul is in - deep within me, what’s stirring in my own heart and mind.
What is the State of Your Soul?
Rested Weary Whole
Lost Wanting Thirsty/Hungry
Peaceful Tired Wandering
Delighting Broken Abandoned
Content Dissatisfied Busy
Distracted Forgotten/unseen Healthy
Engaged Wounded Hopeful
Hopeless Unsettled Trusting
Joyful Known Flourishing
Daring Disillusioned Encouraged
Discouraged Seeking Agitated
Free Numb Thankful
Apathetic Confused Fragile
Anxious Fearful Hurting
Grieving Fulfilled Overwhelmed
Alive Connected Isolated
Nourished Loved Wondering
What other words or images would you use to describe the state of your soul right now?
Once I know where I’m at, I can then better start to see what it is I’m seeking. Sit with the Lord and talk to Him about where you are, and what you are seeking. Remember there’s no shame or condemnation in Christ Jesus. We are free to be completely honest with the Lord, even if what we seek isn’t very pretty or ‘ideal’. Ask Jesus to begin to show you how to view this through His eyes.
John 1:38-39, after the two men tell Jesus what they are seeking, Jesus tells them, “Come and you will see.” Jesus invites us to come and follow Him. And as we follow Him, watch Him (learn who He is and what He does in Scripture and in other’s lives and our own), talk to Him and listen to Him, He gives us eyes to see. Through the years, God has sometimes redirected my longings, or revealed to me a stronghold or struggle which affects what I’m seeking. But 100% of the time, the Lord has been true to His word when He says to me, “Come and you will see.”
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“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” ~Matthew 7:7-11~
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek Me with all your heart.”
~Jeremiah 29:11-13~
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” ~Matthew 6:33~
“And those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.” ~Psalm 9:10~
“I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently, find Me.” ~Proverbs 8:17~
“Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His presence continually!” ~1 Chronicles 16:11~