Change in focus...

"My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek."

Psalm 27:8

Yesterday we went through how important it is to follow the Spirit's leading and seek the Lord's face.  Today I would to like to look at what that does not mean.  No, that's not a typo... you'll see what I mean in a second. 

But for starters, please just focus on the idea of a face.  Any face will do, but no other portion of the body is allowed in this example.  What is it that a face can give you?  If you answered "expression," then you are correct.  And this expression is often something by which we judge response and reaction.  This is how we can outwardly tell if something we are saying is being well-received or not, just as it is one way we can tell if someone is pleased with us or not.  In the liturgical rite, the phrase "may the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace" is often used to describe (as best humans can) the peaceful look on God's face that assuages us in times of distress.

However, did you notice that seeking His face is not the same thing as seeking His hand?  Ahh... there's a moment of realization for us all, I think.  Weeks ago, in discussing the readiness of the feet by the Gospel (as connected to the Armor of God study in the post "The feet... in closing..."), I mentioned that we have no business charging in and demanding things without being willing to listen.  I also pointed out that we cannot afford to miss the best part of our relationship, which is listening to Him speak to and through us, just because we were busy seeking favor and favors.  He's not a magician, hired to perform parlor tricks on a whim: He is God, and there is no other.

And before you get too down about it, know that you are not alone in this trial.  But as my mentor so wisely pointed out yesterday, when you raise your awareness and start actively seeking His face, rather than His hand, your prayer life takes a turn for the positive.  You begin to seek His will in all things, rather than seeking what you perceive to be necessary to overcome whatever you're facing.  And when you seek His will, I have no doubt that His countenance will be made to look upon you and grant you peace!

Take a moment today to pray with determined and purposeful spirit to seek ONLY His face, and ask for nothing but that privilege.  Pray intensely that you can rightly adjust your attitude towards prayer for the accomplishment of His will and His purpose, and for nothing else.  Don't misunderstand: you certainly are always encouraged to seek and ask for whatever it is you chase, but it must be done with the opening of "if it be Your will, {insert request here}."  Try it today, give thanks for the opportunity to seek Him directly and not through other people and honor the Lord in doing so!

God bless you all!!!