Purposely Seek Encounters

“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV

In a story titled “Boilermaker Runner Recovers From Rare Deer Injury & Is Back Running” published yesterday, it was reported that “During the Boilermaker 15K Road Race, a registered runner had an unexpected encounter with a deer that resulted in injuries. Thankfully, the woman has fully recovered and has already returned to running, showing incredible resilience. While respecting her privacy, she asked the Boilermaker committee to share her heartfelt thanks with everyone who helped during the incident. She is especially grateful to the fellow runners who stopped to assist her on the course, the EMS and medical teams who provided fast and professional care, and the entire Boilermaker community for their support and concern. Spectators say the deer darted out suddenly from the trees and collided with the runner, knocking them to the ground. While unusual, animal encounters during outdoor races are not entirely unheard of, especially in areas where courses pass through natural habitats.” The writer sent on to say that “This was her first time participating in the Boilermaker, and as she is not a local resident, the experience was all the more memorable. The Boilermaker organization extends an open invitation to her and her family to come back to Utica and experience the race in full, in what they hope will be a positive and fulfilling way.’”

To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.” Psalm 42:1 NKJV

And while unexpected encounters between runners and deer are rare (thankfully so!), divine encounters (alone time when you can feel God’s presence) with the Lord should not be. Especially for believers. But, according to research by the Pew Institute, only 44% of people polled said they pray daily and only 30% go to church at least once a month. Which means very few people seek divine encounters! Especially daily. It’s no wonder then that the world is in the state it’s in. Without God, we have no moral compass or clear direction. Which is the very reason we must pursue divine encounters in the same way the deer pursues water brooks, remembering that only those who seek God find Him, and only when they search for Him with their whole heart.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” - Matthew 11:28

And you can be sure that this pursuit has its rewards. Not only do we get to experience the very presence of God when we seek Him through the pages of the Bible and by prayer and meditation, but we can lay down our burdens and find the rest we so desperately need. Hence the reason the psalmist declared “As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.” In the dry, desert land that the psalmist lived in, water was scarce. Which meant, the more time the deer was away from the water source, the more the deer panted and longed to get back to it.

So, if it’s been a while since you purposely sought an encounter with the Lord, remember this my friend... In the same way the Boilermaker race extended an invitation to the injured runner and her family to “come back” and experience the race in full, God extends an invitation to everyone to "come back" and experience His presence in full. He invites all those who "labor and are heavy laden" to purposely seek an encounter with Him. If that's you today, won't you come back? You'll be so glad you did!

Heavenly Father, thank You for the open invitation you extend to all those who are burdened and weighed down with the cares of life, and those who are thirsty for the living water, to come back to you. If anyone reading this has strayed and not felt your Presence in a while or never before Lord, I pray today is the day they purposely seek You with their whole heart and find You. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!