Searching for God?

Are you searching for God? You might want to consider looking in Sumter County, Florida. At least that's what the folks at American Family Publishers seemed to think a few years ago, when they mailed a sweepstakes notice addressed to "God" to a church in Bushnell, about sixty miles north of Tampa. The message: "God is a finalist for the $11 million top prize!"

"God, we're searching for you," American Family wrote in the letter, received by the Bushnell Assembly of God. If God were to win, the letter stated, "What an incredible fortune there would be for God!" according to theSumter County Times, which first reported the divine mix-up. "Could you imagine the looks you'd get from neighbors? But don't just sit there, God."

Church pastor Bill Brack was quoted in a CNN report about the letter, saying, "I always thought He lived here, but I didn't actually know."

I do hope they found Him there, even though I doubt He really needed the prize money. And I do hope you find Him as well, wherever you are looking.

Of course, we all know, theologically-speaking, that God is alwayswith us. He is omni-present, meaning He is everywhere, all the time, even in Bushnell, Florida. However, we also know that the Bible tells us to "seek the Lord while He may be found," even as He has come to "seek and to save" us as well. That means we seek the one who seeks us.

The good news is that we have been promised that our search will not be in vain. Hear what the Lord promised His people through His servant Moses, in Deuteronomy 4:29: "But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul." Are you seeking the Lord?

I wouldn't be surprised if we started getting a few letters addressed to God around here at Shelby Crossings, the way He has been "showing up" in our worship gatherings of late. We will continue to seek His presence, that He might reveal Himself to us in a real way, and speak to us from His word with clarity and conviction.

I hope you'll be praying this week, in preparation for our worship gathering this Sunday, for God to be in the midst of His people, drawing us to Himself, and inhabiting the praises of His people. I'm praying for each of you, and I look forward to seeing you Sunday. Why don't you invite a friend to join us?

--Pastor Ken

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