On a trans-Atlantic flight, the airline provided me with a little travel kit. There was a toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash for not offending; a comb for looking good; and socks to keep my feet cozy. There was also a light-blocking sleep mask, ear plugs to muffle all sounds, a warm blanket to snuggle up in, and a pillow for my head. I made my nest in climate-controlled comfort with someone to periodically serve me mass-produced, pre-packaged, warmed-over food and be available for my needs at the touch of a call-button. The finishing touch in the travel kit was a “Do Not Disturb” sticker. The humor of it hit me: if we are honest we spend most of our days like that. Our baggage is checked through to Destination Heaven, and we are meanwhile settled in climate-controlled comfort, wearing our “Do Not Disturb” sticker. Don’t bother to wake me till we get there.
Do you want more of God’s presence? He is causing your holy hunger to want something He is poised to give: more of His glory. He will not abandon you or leave you unfulfilled. Be enormously grateful for what God has shown you, but there is more still, so never be content with the present level of your intimacy with Him. Holy hunger for Him compels you to seek Him earnestly, even desperately. If you desire more of God and more of His gifts, His mercy and grace are working in your heart. Like the apostle Paul, keep pressing on toward the prize for which God has called you: to enjoy His presence forever, starting now.
God promised these benefits to God-seekers: He will let us find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29, Jeremiah 29:13).
He will hear, forgive, and heal the land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
He will show us His gracious favor (Ezra 8:22).
We will not lack any good thing (Psalm 34:10).
He will give us life (Amos 5:4).
We will understand justice (Proverbs 28:5).
He will give us all the essentials of life (Matthew 6:33).
He will answer our prayers of faith (Hebrews 11:6).
God is pleased when we pursue Him and communicate with Him in our own unique way. Pursuing intimacy with God is different for each person, and it will be different for the same person in different seasons of life. God is pleased with our fellowship with Him in prayer (Prov 15:8) and in His Word. He is pleased when we delight in Him as a Person (Ps 34:8) and in His greatness (Ps 46:10).
Join the cry of another God-seeker in Psalm 63.
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you
in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and glory.
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
My soul will be satisfied with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
Excerpted from Prayer Essentials For Living In His Presence, Vol 2, page 25-27. © Sylvia Gunter 2000.