Seeking In The Right Place

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above,
where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. – Col 3:1

I made my way to Richmond Beach the other day as the tide was to be low. With the tide so low it meant that I could access the southern side of the beach which is normally inaccessible. My aim: sea glass. Since that area is less frequented it means that there might be more, unique pieces of sea glass there for the finding. During my search I was struck by the act of seeking itself. To seek after something is to have some objective, however loosely imagined, in mind and heart. It sets a trajectory, a course for a journey. And as you seek after that one thing, and seek after it diligently, your mind and heart are focused on it. One outcome of this is you lose focus on other things, those that are less worth your time and attention.

To be quite honest, most of what we do in life is a seeking after., whether it is a paycheck, approval of others, some peace and quiet, affirmation, stability, comfort, an end to loneliness, love. Seek the things that are above, says St Paul. This means there are things that are "above," or beyond, our earthly and limited perception. There is a true and greater reality which is not easy to discern, but is there nonetheless for the seeking and the finding. But why seek the things that are above, when there is so much here below we can seek after, so much we are enamored by, and so much that may seem too satisfy (at least for a while)? Because, says St Paul, above is where Christ is. Where Christ is, is where our heart and affection and desire are to be also. For He is our life and our salvation. Where He goes, we shall go. Where He leads, we shall follow.

Seeking things that are above, however, is not like seeking after sea glass at Richmond Beach. For the latter is concrete, physical, and down to earth. It is tangible and can be touched and held. What then does it mean to seek after the things that are above, if we cannot lay hold of them? It means to seek after and so also to find, the ways of God. To be shaped and formed by Him. To seek after the heart of Mercy, that we might be a people of mercy. To seek after the heart of Love, that we might be the hands and feet of love. To seek after the Word of Truth, that we might be people who know and proclaim truth. To seek after Justice, that we might be those who fight against injustices here below. To seek after the holiness of God, that we might be holy.

So, did I end up finding any sea glass in my seeking? I did not. But in my seeking, I found again the heart of God.

Grace & Peace