I began my day with a nudge from the Lord to wake at 3:00 a.m. to pray. Of course, I did what any True Woman of good reputation would do (read with sarcasm), I reasoned with the Lord that I was going to the True Woman conference and would need my sleep. Can I just pray from here? I spent the next hour and a half cuddled in my bed unable to sleep but murmuring prayers, praises, and petitions to Him not knowing that Nancy Leigh DeMoss would be bringing my experience full circle in the message that kicked-off the True Woman 2012 theme: Seeking Him Together.
“Facebook, twitter, email, 'Words With Friends,' those were the top things on my list,” she confessed, describing the things that easily distract her from seeking the Lord. She brought all of us in the audience closer by describing the incredibly uncharacteristic desire she often has for housecleaning when she’s trying to have her quiet time with the Lord. Yes, even the beloved leader of the True Woman movement struggles with distractions when trying to seek Him. She also confessed that substitutes (perhaps like a cozy bed) often keep her from seeking Him. Then, she asked us to get transparent, to turn to the person next to us and confess what kept us from seeking Him.
Does busyness keep you from a pursuit? Do you find yourself substituting ice cream for a deep craving for His presence? Are you burdened with a habitual sin that overwhelms your desires? Have you been unable to muster up the discipline to rise early to find His heart? You are not alone, and you have come to the right place.
Nancy outlined three simple ways that we are to seek Him.
- Seek Him intentionally. (1 Chron. 22:19) It is first and foremost not an emotion but a choice to seek Him. It is an intentional, focused effort.
- Seek Him wholeheartedly. (Psalm 119:10; Deut. 4:29) It is like searching for a job when you are in great need of income, or searching for a treasure you have lost. It is not a casual glance in God’s direction once in a while. “The earnestness with which we seek anything reveals the value we place on the object sought,” challenged Nancy.
- Seek Him continually. (1 Chron. 16:11) From the time we wake in the morning until we pillow our heads at night, we must seek Him. And that pillow seemed to call out for me to sit up and take note for what was coming next.
In a twist of what I can only imagine is a heart-changing day for more than just me, Nancy turned us to the poetry of the Song of Songs where we find the Beloved (you/me) turning on her bed and singing, “All night long on my bed I looked for the one my heart loves. I looked for him, but I could not find him.” (Song of Songs 3:1) And then my sweet Nancy said, “She starts right where she is to seek Him, and that’s a good place to begin.” Somehow it not only comforted my heart, but also pricked it. I’m OK. But. I’m a beginner. Gulp. A beginner, Lord? Yes, in the matter of seeking Him in the morning, I am certainly that.
But next, Song of Songs 3:2 finds the Beloved taking action to seek Him. “I will get up now . . .” Her pursuit becomes more desperate. She rises. She puts more energy into the relationship. She’s thorough and focused. I want to be thorough and focused Lord. Help me!
Tomorrow, I will get up out of my bed when He calls to me. I will not use an excuse. I want to be intentional, wholehearted, and continual in my pursuit of Him. My current hindrance is getting out of the comfort of my bed when He calls. What is your hindrance?
The reward will be so sweet when we win. Song of Songs 3:4 says, “I found the one my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go . . .” It’s for this reward that we have come to Indianapolis, tuned in by way of live stream, and paused to seek Him together.
Not to learn about it. To do it.
Will you join us? Nancy has been transparent about what prohibits her from seeking Him. I have shared with you my battle of the bed. Why not leave a true confession here to join with us in overcoming all that distracts us from seeking Him together?
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