KINGDOM SEEKING

“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

We own two dogs. Kiki, a Reindeer Chihuahua, has been with us over 6 years. She came to us as a puppy. Since moving into our current home in 2016, she had been afraid of walking through the kitchen to the garage door to go outside to do her business. We’d have to carry her to the door and set her down in the garage, then pick her up and carry her inside because she was afraid of crossing the threshold. She gained a brother almost 2 years ago.  Rocky, a Chipoo (Chihuahua/poodle mix,) had no such fears. Rocky became our shepherd, often pushing Kiki towards the door when it was time to come in, but we still had to pick her up.

Eventually, I placed a bathtub mat outside the door in the garage and Kiki got over her fear of the threshold and would come inside on her own.  A few months ago, we decided it was time to end Kiki’s life of luxury and teach her to walk outside on her own. It took a while, but she now will walk to the door and go out without us carrying her. Rocky has been a big help with that. Recently, we have noticed Rocky has become an even bigger help.

Yesterday I was doing some work on my computer when Rocky walked up to me and started barking. I glanced at their food and water bowls and saw they were full. I noticed Kiki out of the corner of my eye near the kitchen floor looking to the door. I made a move to get up and Rocky went over to Kiki and nudged her from behind. By the time I got up and headed to the kitchen, Kiki was waiting by the door to go out, which she and Rocky did when I opened the door. Kiki and Rocky have developed a bond. And I have learned to discern the meaning of Rocky’s various barks. That would not be the case if I had not learned to pay attention to it.

So it is with Christ. We must learn to see Him in everything around us, big and small. Pay attention to what He is trying to tell us. The above scripture is from a letter Jeremiah wrote to the Israelites held captive in Babylon. In that letter, Jeremiah tells them that God said He would come for them and return them to their land after 70 years. Two verses before the one above God says one of the better known scriptures: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (vs 29:11) And tucked between verse 11 and 13 is this one: “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” (29:12)

GOD KNOWS! Nothing is a surprise to Him. He has plans for you, good plans designed for hope.  But it is up to us to accept His will for our lives.  Keep our focus on Him. Pray to him.  Seek Him in the world around us.  Be tuned in to His voice. He is listening to us. Are we listening to Him in return?

Be Blessed!