The issue of seeking God where He is not, despite the fact that He is in us and with us, touches on a profound aspect of Christian spirituality and the human condition.
Here are some possible reasons, according to the Bible and Christian theology, why believers continue to seek God, despite His presence in them and with them:
1. Forgetting His presence or spiritual inattention:
Although God is present in us through the Holy Spirit, believers can sometimes be distracted by the worldly concerns and challenges of daily life. The apostle Paul, in his letters, often speaks of the importance of “seeking God” and not being distracted from the faith (e.g., Colossians 3:1-2). We can be so absorbed in the world around us that it is difficult to fully perceive God’s presence.
« The Spirit of truth, the world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. » (John 14:17)
Jesus here reminds us that although the Spirit of God is with believers, the world cannot always perceive him, which shows that God’s presence can be perceived or ignored depending on our spiritual attention.
2. The search for greater and greater closeness to God:
Even though God is with us, believers are called to seek a deeper relationship with Him.
It is not just a matter of knowing that God is there, but of living out that relationship fully through prayer, worship, meditation, Bible reading, and action in the world.
The search for God is often a quest for understanding and spiritual intimacy.
« You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. »(Jeremiah 29:13)
This verse shows that God desires believers to seek Him with all their hearts.
Although He is present, this seeking is not in vain, for it leads to a more personal and deeper relationship.
« Come near to God and he will come near to you. »(James 4:8)
This implies that while God is always present, there is an active, relational element to seeking Him.
3. The distinction between God’s presence and the full manifestation of His glory:
God is indeed with us, but His full glory and perfection are not always manifested in tangible ways. The experience of His presence can be lived differently depending on circumstances and spiritual maturity. Believers seek God not only in the everyday aspects of life, but also in moments of deeper transcendence and revelation.
« Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. »(1John 3:2)
This passage refers to the full revelation of God in the future, when believers will see God in all His glory.
Seeking God is also linked to the expectation of this future revelation.
4. The spiritual Hunger and Thirst:
In the Bible, seeking God is often associated with a deep spiritual longing or hunger. Believers seek God because they desire to be spiritually nourished and satisfied, as only God can fulfill the deepest needs of the human heart.
« Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. »(Matthew 5:6)
The Christian journey often involves a continual seeking after God’s righteousness, grace, and truth, with the belief that this pursuit leads to spiritual fulfillment.
5. The desire to transform our lives and our world:
Seeking God is also linked to the desire to see Him work in our personal lives and in the world.
Believers know that God is present in them, but they also seek to see His work in their lives, to experience His power, and to grow His will in their daily lives.
« But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. »(Matthew 6:33)
Jesus is teaching here that even though God is already present, it is important to actively seek His kingdom and His will in our lives, which involves a constant search for His guidance and manifestation in our existence.
Even though God’s presence dwells within believers, human beings remain in a fallen state and face struggles such as sin, temptation, and spiritual dryness. Seeking God, especially through prayer and worship, is an act of renewal, where believers long for restoration, strength, and healing.
« Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. »(Psalm 51:10)
Even though God is always present, believers seek Him for the restoration and renewal of their hearts.
6. The hope for Future Glory:
Seeking God is also rooted in the hope of future glory, when believers will experience God’s presence more fully in heaven.
This eternal perspective encourages Christians to keep seeking God, even when His full presence is not yet fully realized.
« For we live by faith, not by sight. »(2 Corinthians 5:7)
This points to the tension between the present reality of God’s presence in believers and the hope of a more direct, visible encounter with Him in the future.
In summary, even though God is in us and with us, it is still important to actively seek His presence to deepen our relationship with Him, discover deeper aspects of His will and love, and experience a spiritual transformation that draws us closer to Him each day.
This seeking is not an indication that God is distant, but rather a call to cultivate greater attention to His presence and guidance in our lives.
PRAYER:
Lord our God, grant us to know how to actively seek Your presence to deepen our relationship with You.
It is in the precious name of your son Jesus Christ that we ask this of you, Amen.
Apostle Jean-Claude SINDAYIGAYA