Seeking God’s ways is a journey that transcends mere religious observance. It is a transformative pursuit that brings believers into a deeper and more intimate relationship with God.
Isaiah 55:6-7 (NIV) says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.”
This Scripture talks about seeking the Lord, but how can we do this? Seeking God’s ways is more than just praying for long hours, fasting, and praising Him through song. It involves developing a deep and intimate relationship with Him and fully seeking to please Him in everything we do.
In this article, we will explore the essential principles and practical steps on how to seek God’s ways. From cultivating a heart of humility to embracing the guidance of Scripture, seeking God’s ways is a profound journey of faith that leads to spiritual growth and alignment with the will of God.
Cultivating a Humble Heart
The foundation of seeking God’s ways lies in cultivating a heart of humility. Proverbs 3:34 reminds us that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humility involves acknowledging our dependence on God, recognizing His sovereignty, and surrendering our will to His. Jesus taught His disciples that those who humble themselves will be exalted, (Matthew 23:12). Seeking God’s ways requires a willingness to set aside personal agendas and align our hearts with His purposes.
Diligent Prayer and Seeking His Presence
Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NIV) – “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Prayer is the bridge that connects believers with God, and seeking His ways involves a life of diligent and heartfelt prayer. Seeking God’s presence in prayer not only opens communication but also deepens the intimacy of the relationship. Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray, (Luke 5:16). His example emphasizes the importance of seeking our Heavenly Father’s guidance through prayer. God asks us to call on Him and seek Him through prayer and He will be found. When we pray to God, He reveals to us the things we need to do to draw closer to Him. And when we invite His presence through prayer, He draws closer to us and guides us towards paths of righteousness.
· Have Faith in God
The Bible says that we cannot please the Lord if we do not have faith in Him. Our faith in God strengthens our relationship with Him. To build our faith in God, we must immerse ourselves in God’s Word. We must let His Word take root and dwell in our hearts.
Romans 10:17 (NIV) – “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”
When we read the Word and listen to God’s teachings, we develop our faith in Him and this draws us closer to Him. With faith, we can trust God like Abraham and Job did in the midst of their challenges. Faith in God helps us not to question the ways and thoughts of our God.
· Immerse Yourself in Scripture
The Bible is the written revelation of God’s ways. It provides a roadmap for believers seeking to align their lives with His will.
Psalms 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Immersing yourself in Scripture involves regular reading, study, and meditation on God’s Word. The psalmist expresses the delight of those who meditate on God’s law day and night, likening them to trees planted by streams of water, (Psalms 1:2-3). Through Scripture, God reveals His character, principles, and desires for His people.
· Walking in Obedience
Seeking God’s ways necessitates walking in obedience to His commands. Jesus emphasized the importance of obedience, stating that if we love Him, we must keep His commands, (John 14:15). Obedience is not a legalistic adherence to rules but a heartfelt response to God’s love.
Obedience aligns the believer’s life with the order of God, fostering a healthy relationship with Him.
Walking in obedience is doing what the Word of God asks us to do. We cannot claim to seek God’s ways when we are only hearers and not doers of God’s Word.
James 1:22-25 (NIV) says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”
· Surrounding Yourself with a Godly Community
Seeking God’s ways is not a solitary endeavor; it is enriched by the fellowship of a godly community. Proverbs 27:17 highlights the iron-sharpening-iron principle that occurs in the company of fellow believers. A supportive Christian community provides accountability, encouragement, and spiritual growth. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often expressed gratitude for the companionship of fellow believers and their shared commitment to seeking God’s ways. Being part of a community that prioritizes seeking God fosters a culture of mutual support and collective growth.
· Repentance
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) – “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
The Bible says that whoever claims is without sin lies to themselves and God too. Sin ruins the relationship between us and our Heavenly Father. It destroyed the healthy relationship between Adam and God. As we strive to seek God’s ways, we are called to seek repentance first. We cannot go before the Lord with a sinful heart. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, He says that if we repent, the relationship between us and Him will be healed and restored. God is a faithful God who waits for us to turn to Him with repentant hearts. When we repent and pray for the forgiveness of our sins, He rejoices and welcomes us back to His arms just like how the prodigal son was welcomed back by his father.
Having a repentant heart does not mean that we have been permitted to keep sinning. Rather, it gives room for us to express our regret for our mistakes and seek God’s forgiveness. Through repentance, our sins are forgiven and our lives receive refreshment.
· Forgiving Others
Forgiving others is also another way of seeking the ways of the Lord. God Himself forgave us and He even sent His Son to die for our sins. He instructs us to extend the same grace and mercy to those who hurt us.
Colossians 3:13 (NIV) says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
· Small Acts of Kindness and Compassion
Many people think that seeking God’s ways is doing things are magnificent and very big. But the truth is that the way to God’s heart is through small acts of kindness and love.
John 13:34-35 (NIV) says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Small acts of kindness like offering encouragement to the heart-broken, a helping hand to the needy, or praying for the sick touch the heart of the Lord. These acts prove to the world that we are actually disciples of Christ. While Jesus was on earth, He extended love and kindness to everyone He encountered, regardless of where they came from. God expects us to do the same; to love as He has loved us and to show kindness to those around us.
· Serve God Whole heartedly
1 Chronicles 28:9 (NIV) – “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.”
God desires a heart that is always ready and willing to serve Him. He wants us to serve Him in everything we do and bring glory and honor to His name in every task we undertake. Serving God can involve participating in church activities like praise and worship, cleaning, mission work, charity work, and so much more.
Conclusion
Seeking God’s ways is a transformative journey that involves cultivating humility, diligent prayer, Bible study, walking in obedience, and so much more. This pursuit is not a checklist but a daily commitment to aligning one’s heart and actions with God’s heart.
