Seek
Have you ever had the breath knocked out of you? I have. It’s a terrible feeling not to be able to breathe. Under these circumstances you seek only one thing…AIR. People could offer you money, fame, prestige, or power, but there is only one thing you seek. That is the ability to breathe. It is not optional. Breathing is the solitary priority. You “seek” that life-giving breath.
The word “seek” is the first word in the Ministry Action Plan of our Annual Conference called “the SEND Model”. It is a critical word for the Christian, because we understand that God in Christ came to “seek and to save that which was lost”, (Luke 19:10). Our salvation is not a casual thing. God “so loved” that He was willing to become one of us in the mystery of the Incarnation in order to save us from our sin and restore us to the relationship He wanted us to know with Him. Nothing else would do.
The ministry of the Church begins with this word. SEEK. What is it that we seek? Well, we first seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Mt. 6:33). This is intentional discovery, not accidental. Seeking implies intentionality. When the Shepherd discovered the missing sheep, He left the 99 in search of that straggling sheep (Luke 15:1-7). We are not told if the sheep left the flock in rebellion, or due to careless distraction. The reason didn’t matter. The Shepherd went out looking for that lost sheep. His journey was intentional because He valued the helpless sheep. Do we value those outside the kingdom of God? Do we value the struggling and hurting? If we do, we will “seek” them. We will go wherever wandering tendencies might take people because we love them, we care about them, and they need us. We will be “seekers”. God is a SEEKER. So are God’s people.
We will not just seek people who are away from the fold or those hurting within it. We will seek resources that can be used to help them. We will be intentional about the use of the things God has put into our hands. We will be good stewards of our time resources, our financial resources, our system structures, and our personal and corporate strengths. It is vital that we become aware of the needs around us and the resources among us so that we can create opportunities for these to come gether. At the pmeet is where ministry happens and transformation can occur. Only God’s Spirit can provide the transformation, but we can “seek” ways to create opportunities and environments where this transformation is most likely to occur.
In the Conference Ministry Action Plan (MAP), “Seek” is the first step. Every ministry launched by a Church should have the element of “seek” in it. The Church will “seek” to understand its context. The Church will intentionally learn as much about the community as possible, identifying the needs present and the resources available. We will intentionally “seek” to address the needs around us in the Name of Jesus Christ. We will “seek” the places where God is already at work. Having discovered them, we will join God in that work by using the gifts He has placed among us. We will “seek” others to join us in doing this holy work to which God has invited us. We will seek out others in ministry and join with those who are doing things that serve others and put value in those who are served. We need not try to do everything alone. We are more effective and fruitful in aiding transformation when we seek ways to work together.
How is the word “seek” impacting your ministries? It calls for intentionality. It calls for us to value every person. It compels us to go with God into the world to seek and to save. It challenges us to love with God’s love, give as God gives, and bless others as God is blessing us. Jesus said it. “As the Father has sent me, so SEND I you,” (John 20:21). The “S” in “SEND” is for “seek”. Don’t skip the first step.
