Blaise Pascal, a man from 17th century France, is known for many things – primarily the contributions he made to mathematics. However, another role that he pursued in his time was that of religious philosopher; one of his most oft-quoted sayings was this: “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.” Most of us have probably heard the simplified version: “There is a GOD-sized hole in your heart, and only GOD can truly fill it.”
Humans, as created beings, are composed of three components: 1) a body (our physical mass/shape), 2) a soul (the combination of our mind and emotions), and 3) a spirit (the “image of God” in all of us). The spirit is the part that is our primary fellowship with GOD; when humanity (through the actions of Adam and Eve) sinned, we became spiritually dead; through Jesus Christ, our spirits have been raised back to life!
As children of God, we deepen our relationship with our Heavenly Father by spending time with Him. Different ways we do this are through:
prayer
worship
reading/study of the Word
fellowship with other believers
This should not be viewed, however, as an obligation; He is our Lord and Savior, but He is also our Father and Friend! It should be our (joyful) desire to seek GOD and make time to spend with Him every day. Here are some Scripture references that reflect upon this:
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in his law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” Psalm 1:2-3
“One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.” Psalm 27:4
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.” Psalm 42:1
“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the LORD.’” Psalm 122:1
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8a
May you be blessed this day, as you seek to know GOD more deeply, walking with Him each day from now into eternity!