Not Looking

I’ve heard it said that if you set your sights on nothing, you will hit it every time. What are you looking for, and is it possible that you are not looking for anything? Jesus reveals some of the attributes of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who was to come when Jesus departed from the earth. Jesus reveals His role, and Jesus also clarifies much of the world’s response…Not Looking. 

John 14:17 (NLT) 

He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. 

The NASB translation of that same verse says, “the world cannot receive [the Holy Spirit], because it does not see him or know him.” 

It’s hard to see and know what you’re not looking for. So, what are you looking for, or is it possible that you are not looking at all? The Bible is clear that we are to look for God, and not looking for God could mean that you will never find him. 

Luke 11:9-10 (NLT) 

“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 

10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 

Have you ever thought about worship, private and public worship, as looking for God? The Apostle Paul tells us that God is not far from us; we just need to look for Him. 

Acts 17:27 (NLT) 

“His [God’s] purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. 

The world isn’t looking for Jesus for many reasons, but it might be as simple as two things. They don’t know about Jesus, or they already have a god and are not looking for another one. The problem with both of these positions is that they both end in eternal death. 

One of my favorite scenes in the Old Testament is when God tells the Prophet Jeremiah to write a letter to the exiled Jews living in Babylon. God told Jeremiah that he still had a hope and a future planned for the exiled Jewish remnant. It’s at that point, when the Jews must have been so discouraged and abandoned, that this word came to them from God. 

Jeremiah 29:12-14 (NLT) 

In those days when you pray, I will listen. 

13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 

14 I will be found by you,” says the LORD. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” 

Today, I encourage you to look for God. The world cannot see Him or know Him because they're not looking for Him. Look for Him through the person of Jesus Christ with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. He is not far from you right now. Look for nothing and you will find it every time. 

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen, 

Terry Cooper 

Lead Minister