“What are you finding WITHIN YOURSELF?”

“Everything you're looking for, you'll find WITHIN YOURSELF.” Would it be strange if I sent you this message today? Would it confuse you, or does it not even trigger anything in you anymore? 

It's possible that it doesn’t because we hear these kinds of messages all the time. It’s become normal to say that everything we need for a happy life is already inside us. And so, people meditate, spend hours in silence, or retreat regularly and as often as possible to dive “WITHIN THEMSELVES,” hoping to find what they are searching for there.

Can I be bold and ask how long that's going to last? 😉 People who spend their whole lives searching for everything within themselves don’t seem to be having much luck. 

You don’t need a degree in theology to come to this conclusion: If you search and don’t find, you’ve been searching in the wrong place.

Here’s what I love about God’s simple and motivating way of communicating. He says it plainly, clearly, and directly: “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart”” (Jeremiah 29:13 ESV). And it also says: “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires” (Psalm 37:4 NLT). 

Joy is something contagious! It won’t go unnoticed!

Your joy won’t go unnoticed, it’s true—God wants the world to see Him, in YOU! 

And look, friend, while others say, “You’ll find everything WITHIN YOURSELF,” and spend their whole lives retreating into silence to search for it, here’s the truth: Everything you’re searching for WITHIN YOURSELF, you’ll find IN HIM.

“The most important commandment is this … You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength! The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as YOURSELF.’” (Mark 12:29-31 NLT) 

God wants YOU to find EVERYTHING—IN HIM—so you can give it away, far beyond just yourself.

You are a miracle!