“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:13

It’s the first day of school for the students in my area tomorrow. August 4th seems way too early to be headed back to school.

Our family did the meet the teachers last Thursday. Even with the early date and the sorrow over summer’s final sunset, there was still energy in the air. 3 of my kids are headed to new school buildings this year. My youngest, Charlie is headed to middle school. During the orientation assembly last week the principal was very kind and gracious with all the sixth graders. His instructions were very clear. 

“I only have one goal for you to learn today. As you meet your teachers, the only thing that you need to remember is the first place you go when you arrive on Monday morning.” Mr. Henderson knew that getting his new students to the first place they need to go is the key to their success. Because, from that point forward, the kids will be ushered and escorted to all the other places they need to be. Brilliant. And so true for so much of our lives.

Of course, as I was talking with my Charlie about all of this tonight, he was lost. He was already confused and out of sorts. I imagine other sixth grade parents are having the same conversations with their kids tonight as well. Thankfully he has some older siblings that have been through the drill. I’m not worried, even if he is. He’ll find his way.

Jeremiah is speaking to a community that is lost as well. The Israelites were in exile. They were living in Babylon, after their defeat, and Jeremiah was giving them a word of hope to remember their first love. Return to the Lord. Set your eyes upon the maker of Heaven and Earth. It is in light of this that Jeremiah offers this invitation, challenge, and promise of the Lord. “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

“Have you found Jesus?” It’s a question that is often asked, faithfully, as an introduction to sharing the hope and good news of Jesus. It is a way that people enter into spiritual conversations with others. And, you can see how it is of a similar sentiment to today’s verse. However, it also leads to misconception and misleadings about who is lost. 

If you and Jesus are not in the same spot, it isn’t Jesus that is lost. He isn’t hiding. This is not hide and seek. Jesus doesn’t loose His way. You and I do. Constantly. Seeking the Lord is our invitation, not because we don’t know where He is. It’s because we don’t know where we are. 

Kind of like a sixth grader on the first day of school. The teachers are not going to be hiding. The administration isn’t going to be placing red herrings for the students to chase the wrong paths. The location is clear and plain. The problem is we get side tracked and we don’t know where we are.

Where is Jesus? He is revealed in the Word. He is present in the Bread and Wine. He is with the people of God. Jesus is nearer to you than you are to yourself. Jesus doesn’t play Where’s Waldo. He reveals Himself to you through and in the places He has promised.

Jesus is not lost. He is not hiding. He is not running from you. God runs to you. Always.

Seek Him and you will find Him. Not because of your great seeking ability. You will find Him because He has told you plainly where to look. Come, dig into the Word of God and you will see Him. Come, find His refreshment at the table, His table. Come, learn with the People of God, for He is in the midst of them. 

And, as another plug, I believe my latest book, PLAYbook for Life, is a great resource to help you seek the Lord in the Word of God. You can click the link below to order your copy today. 

When was a time when you were lost, how did you find your way?