Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I met with the Master in the wee hours of this new day long before the sunrise. There wasn’t much on my mind and nothing really stirring my Heart so I sat there in silence for a long time. The longer I sat in His Presence, the more Gratitude overflowed within me, and pretty soon I quit searching for anything at all but His Face. Of all the people, places, and things I could ever want in this Journey called Life, what I want most of all is Him. So, I settled in and sought His Face without a single thought about anything else. The Psalmist said it best for me – “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” Isn’t that your Main Focus in this Journey called Life too?

I’ve traveled far and wide and I’ve seen things most people only dream about – but nothing could hold a candle to Him. I’ve been in the presence of some of the richest and most famous people in the world – but nobody that could ever hold a candle to Him. I’ve seen the best performances by the world’s most talented artists – but nobody could hold a candle to Him. I’ve read the most popular words of literature from people the world still celebrates today – but nothing can hold a candle to Him and His Word. I’ve been in palaces fit for kings but nothing can hold a candle to the His palace and what He has waiting for me. I’ve climbed to the top of the ladder and I’ve known success most people only dream about – but nothing can hold a candle to His riches. I’ve seen indescribable beauty in people, places, and things but none of it can hold a candle to the Beauty of Him. There are plenty of amazing things to see and do in this Journey called Life…and I’ll still experience them from time to time when I can. But no matter where I go…who I meet…what I see or what I do…none of it will hold a candle to His Face to me. This is the Key to contentment.

Sometimes I wonder what the world would look like if the Biggest Priority for all of God’s people would be “One thing I ask from the Lord, this ONLY do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” It must grieve Him to watch us chase money instead of chasing the One who owns all the gold and silver in the world. It must grieve Him to watch us search for recognition for our accomplishments instead of Recognizing the One who opens the doors to success. It must grieve Him to see us hunger for people, places, and things with very little Hunger for Him at all. It must grieve Him to hear us shout with excitement over a championship game in ways we wouldn’t dream of shouting out for Him. It must grieve Him to watch us trade time with Him for the gym, or time in His word for a television program. People search day in and day out for joy and happiness – some have an insatiable appetite for success and to be recognized… and most of the time they never find satisfaction at all. It’s sad because all it really takes is a hunger for Him – a focus on His Face instead of their own – and they’d find joy, peace, contentment, and love that nothing and nobody could ever hold a candle to. This is the Key to fulfillment in the Journey called Life.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace”