In His PresenceSample

We Seek What We Value

In this age of social media and easy access to information, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant influx of data. Focusing and keeping track of tasks can become challenging amidst so many distractions. I’ve noticed, and I’m sure you have, too, how social media algorithms learn from our activity and show us more of what we engage with. These algorithms keep us glued to our screens for extended periods by identifying what we value.

The Old and New Testaments abound with stories of people like us who pursue what they value, choosing paths that draw them nearer to those things. What we actively seek reflects our true values; what we invest in socially and personally reveals what matters most to us.

During my master’s degree, I learned about creating a “life map” from one of my professors. This map encapsulates what is crucial for my family and me, establishing our family goal in a single sentence. Using this as a foundation, we crafted a guide to navigate decisions and maintain alignment, especially when life’s distractions tempt us. For us, worship was non-negotiable—it wasn’t merely an option but the heartbeat of our map. Because we seek what we value, our desire was for our lives to resound with worshiping Jesus, not just through songs and words, but through a lifestyle reflecting His presence within us. Whenever life threatens to divert our focus, we aim to promptly realign our attention towards God.

So today, I ask you: What do you genuinely value? In the book of Matthew, Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Understanding what our hearts are inclined to seek helps us recognize areas that may need realignment with God’s purpose.

Today, I encourage you to embark on a journey of self-assessment. Understanding which aspects of our lives need God’s intervention and which areas need revisited and appropriately valued. God’s intervention brings hope and reassurance to our spiritual journey.

Remember, what we seek reflects what we value. Let’s pray to live lives of surrender, asking God to help us seek Him above all else.