When I was growing up, we played 'Hide and Seek' where one child tries to find everyone else who is hiding. But there was always that one kid who never got the seeking part down. Distractions, boredom, bad attitude, whatever the reason, he would just wander away as though the rest of us didn't exist.
I remembered that the other day as I was studying one of the many things Jesus said about seeking. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7). And it got me wondering, Exactly what do you mean when you tell me to seek?
The Greek word here is zeteo. It's a rather simple looking word, but the idea behind it is complex and powerful. On the surface, zeteo means to inquire about, pursue, follow, and search for. Doesn't sound particularly noteworthy. But the fullness of the word reveals something quite special.
Zeteo is not about trying to find something just for the sake of finding it. This isn't a game. Satisfying one's curiosity is not the goal. In zeteo, there's a deep level of seriousness, even a sense of urgency. Whatever the treasure, it has to be found. It must be found. Here, focus and determination are required.
Think of it this way. Mount Everest rises in the distance, towering over the cold, harsh landscape. Edmund Hillary and Chuck Graham stand side by side, awestruck by the task before them. Ascending the deadly mountain will certainly be difficult and dangerous. Hillary marches off. Graham takes a picture.
As Master Yoda once said in the Star Wars movies, "Do or do not. There is no try." That's the attitude in zeteo. Desire is necessary. Commitment is required. Effort is demanded. We have to want it...whatever it may be. So what is the it here? Jesus told us to seek, but seek what?
Paul once spoke to some men in Athens who considered themselves religious. Being equal opportunity worshipers, they had many altars, including one inscribed TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Satisfied all their bases were covered, no one attempted to learn about this deity. So Paul decided to tell them who He is.
The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything. Rather, He himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek Him... Acts 17:24-27
Seek Him! He is the object of zeteo...the goal...the treasure! God wants us to search for Him, follow and pursue Him, with seriousness and urgency, determination and focus. And if we do, He promises we will find Him. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)
There's something else about zeteo. The searching never ends. God wants us always looking, always finding, always learning. He wants us to seek Him, and by seeking, to draw ever closer to Him.
It makes me wonder. Are we ever like that kid who gets distracted or bored? Do we ever have a bad attitude or just wander away as though He doesn't exist? Hmm. Maybe it's time to get serious.
Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Psalms 105:3
