Finding God

Often we hear the term "finding God" associated with those residing in correctional facilities. The phrase describes a positive change in behavior, attitude, or perspective that sets a person apart from his or her former ways. Often it is a ploy to gain sympathy or some other consideration from the courts, but now and again their change is the real deal. People can and do find God in prison. Thankfully, that is not the only place.

The true seeker can find God just about anywhere. Scripture reminds us repeatedly that God is seeking to find us, so finding Him is not hard at all—when we want to.

But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29 NIV

There are two big “ifs” in that verse. Because our motivation is often impaired by the many distractions in our life, "finding God" or, more accurately, "repentance" is often associated with some form of confrontation or adversity. Undeterred, most people will coast and drift in a manner that suits them until their lifestyle runs aground. You may remember the story of Saul. He was an angry, violent, zealous and strict Pharisee, who persecuted the early Church. Armed with the permission and authority of the High Priest and Sanhedrin, he pursued early believers all over Palestine arresting them and placing them in prison for their faith. He believed he was doing God's work, protecting the Jewish faith from the impurity of this dangerous new heresy. On the road to Damascus, Saul was shown the error of his ways after a dramatic encounter with the risen Lord (Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-19). Saul did in fact change so radically he needed a new name! We know this man as the Apostle Paul, and are pleased to have his many epistles included in our Bible. 

Adversity may be the catalyst for many people to find God, but the operating truth that opens our eyes to our need for God is the humility that our adversity brings. “Boy, I really messed up this time” is the perfect realization and perspective for the Holy Spirit to use in opening our eyes to “the cure.” Seeing God requires that we stop looking at (and relying upon) ourselves.

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:6-10 ESV

Perhaps you are in humbling circumstances today. Maybe some of your plans recently derailed. Are your talents, skills, and personality suddenly failing to "win friends and influence people?" Or perhaps your situation is far more threatening. In this economy you may be out of work and wondering if you will ever find another job. Perhaps your health is failing you.  Has some other serious or tragic event knocked you off of your feet? Sometimes God allows the things we depend upon to reveal their frailty. Sometimes He allows us to see in vivid relief our own shortcomings, inexperience, mortality, and the heartbreaking imperfections of this fallen world. He does so in hopes we may be willing to listen to a voice besides our own (for a change). Know this, when God reveals our limitations to us it is a gift of grace! It is like a sign telling us we are travelling on the wrong road.

You see, God is rarely “found” when we are avoiding Him; nor can we "find God" through our own merit, efforts, or agenda. There has to be a point where we realize our limitations, our inadequacies, and our failings spiritually. Speaking of this universal condition, Isaiah wrote,

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own. . . Isaiah 53:6 NLT

Paul, the Apostle, concurs,

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23 NLT

Like the drunk in the gutter, we need to ask ourselves how well our life is working for us. Challenging circumstances make us more amenable to this discussion.

The Gospels capture this notion beautifully in the story of the two thieves crucified with Jesus.

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:39-43 ESV

One of the thieves was desperately seeking escape from his punishment; the other realized that he was but reaping the rewards of a sinful and selfish life. The main difference between the two, however, was the second thief (the humble realist) also recognized that he was hanging next to someone who could change his entire life, not just his immediate circumstances. That realization was a gift of grace, an awareness given by the Holy Spirit. When we are willing to hear that hard word of grace, humble ourselves, cease trying to bend the world our way, confess our selfish sinfulness and give ourselves to Christ, the power of God is unleashed into our lives. For a person “finding God” in this manner, prison walls are no longer an overwhelming barrier, unemployment becomes an opportunity, sickness is not a central focus, and death is not the end.

In short, we will not “find God” until we tire of trying to “find ourselves.” May God’s Word guide you to find your life and sufficiency in Christ-- and in Him alone!

(For further reference see: Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Romans 5:8; Romans 10: 9,10; Ephesians 2:8.9; 2 Corinthians 5:17)