What Are You Seeking?

The sermon explores the question of what we are seeking when we say we follow Jesus and come to church. Pastor Chris argues that this is a profound and personal question that we often overlook in the busyness of our daily lives. The risk of not asking ourselves this question is that we may end up like the man who spent his life climbing a ladder only to discover it was leaning against the wrong wall. Pastor Chris suggests several reasons why we may avoid asking ourselves this question. One reason is that we may have settled into a comfortable place in life and convinced ourselves that our current situation is as good as it gets. However, the Bible teaches that the spiritual life is one of continual longing and hunger for more of God and the abundant life that Jesus came to bring. Another reason we may avoid this question is that we have been shaped by our families or society to believe that our wants and longings don't matter. We allow ourselves to be shaped by what others want for us or how others expect us to live, and tragically, we miss Jesus caring for us and asking what we are seeking. Pastor Chris also challenges the idea that we should not focus on our wants and desires, as this may cause us to miss out on the deep longings of our souls, which ultimately drive us more deeply into the love of God. Following Jesus will be costly, but it is not about denying our desires altogether. Instead, it is about being willing to let go of worldly pleasures that keep us from seeking the kingdom of God. Finally, Pastor Chris addresses the idea that some people may think they are too old to be seeking anything anymore. However, age should not be a barrier to seeking beauty and meaning in life, and bonus years can be an opportunity to navigate the waning crescent of life with purpose and unafraid of change. Overall, the sermon encourages us to ask ourselves the profound and personal question of what we are seeking when we say we follow Jesus and to be willing to embrace the deep longings of our souls as we seek to live a life that honors God. www.venicepres.org