But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.             Matthew 6:33

I am part of the last generation that remembers what life was like before the Internet; however, I have adapted quite well to the luxury of having infinite information at my fingertips or now, even upon verbal request. In our home, if anyone is curious about something or poses a question to which we have no answer our standard, funny phrase is “just ask The Googles” (you may substitute Siri, Alexa, or any of those other virtual assistants).

I love being able to go online and search for anything and everything, but I most appreciate the ability to quickly find a solution to a need (like a DIY stain remover or operating the high tech components in my car) or to compare prices on items and services.  

Yes, the World Wide Web is an amazing resource, but it can also be a black hole. 

Unfortunately, I find myself searching and continuing to search even after I find what I am looking for or something close enough to it. I get pulled in further by those pop-ups and pictures. I continue to click to see if I can find something better or an amazing deal. I just can’t be satisfied ending my search with the first “best match.” 

Minutes, hours, or days later I am still searching as I try to locate the perfect product at the perfect price. This exercise in futility can result in my original find being no longer available … frustrating.

As if that isn’t bad enough, I find myself doing this when I find what I’m looking for at a local store too. My thought being maybe there is something better, cheaper, nicer … online. So, there I stand in the aisle of the store hoping I have cell service to continue and possibly complete my search.

To complicate matters, I typically generate a picture in my mind of exactly what I want and when the stores or the Internet don’t have exactly what I picture, I keep searching. I won’t accept what is right in front of me that certainly fills my need simply because it doesn’t exactly match what I had in mind. 

Do you do this? It can’t be just me, right?!

Put this in a spiritual context. 

God answers your prayers but you fail to see it because the response isn’t exactly as you want it, so you go on searching …

You feel you need more food for your soul and your local church or your place of employment offers book studies, small group gatherings, or prayer groups, but you look past those opportunities – still searching … 

You need to spend more time studying your Bible and praying; although you could carve out time early in the morning or right before bed, you reject those options – still searching …

You need hope … faith … patience … understanding … love … and you have the Bible app, a Bible on the shelf, and God available to listen to your prayerful whispers 24/7, but you’re still searching …

Today, if you have a need or feel something is missing STOP.

Stop searching. 

Look at what is right in front of you. Take those chances for spiritual growth and deeper connections with Christ that can and will fill your needs. Try taking advantage of opportunities that are right under your nose or at your fingertips even if they don’t exactly match the image you created in your mind. 

Stop searching. 

Recognize God is here with you now providing exactly what you need.