The cliche. There’s something about a cliche that it is a saying that is so over-used that it can be mentioned glbly without much substance behind.
That’s a pity, because there are certain sayings that should not be dismissed so easily. One such saying that church folk may be familiar with is when Jesus says, ask it and shall be given, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you. It is such a familiar saying that the power in its simplicity is often overlooked.
One aspect of that saying for which the meaning kinda got lost for me was the seek and you shall find bit. The principle is so simple that to be reminded of it in times of confusion and despair can actually be something of a consolation. After all in those times of confusion what we’re looking for is clarity – that’s what we should be seeking anyway. And Jesus makes it so simple – you search for Him, you find the clarity and the peace you need.
Oh you noticed. Yes, if I need clarity, I don’t search primarily for clarity, I search for Jesus, because Jesus provides clarity. It also transpires that seeking for Jesus for clarity gets you much more than clarity. That leads to another often used line about God, that we can genuinely appreciate when we go beyond the over-used cliche aspect. That phrase states: in His presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore. What I am discovering more and more is that if I seek Jesus for help with any given thing, I experience the presence of Jesus and not only do I get a response (that’s not always getting what I ask for specifically) there’s also the reassurance and joy that comes in knowing that more important tan my request is my relationship from which the request can be made. That cannot be discovered if I am just looking for the short term fix.
It is dependent on the search as well. Not a mild check – active seeking is the only way to find what you’re really looking for.
(Photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 