Where You Seek, There You Find

Have you ever looked for God? ...yes
Have you ever asked God the question, "Where are you?"...yes
I found myself asking this very question this morning. Now let me sort this out for you, there are a couple ways to ask this question. It can be asked with the spirit of despair where your soul is crying out "Where are you God? Everything is going wrong and I don't see you anywhere!" or it can be asked with the spirit of "God, where are you? I know you're here, but where would you have me see you? Through what are you revealing yourself to me?"
See the difference?
This morning I was asking the latter of the two. See, back home I knew where I saw God. I saw him in trees and in my family. I saw his love every time a butterfly would pass me. But being in a whole new place I found myself searching for a place to see God on a regular basis. I was searching for a way to see his love revealed to me through something specific to me. I'm not sure if you're following this or not...but stay with me. I would look out at the ocean out my window and think "Is this what you want to use for the next 18 months to remind me of your presence and love?" I would hear no reply. Then I would look into the faces of the children here and ask the same question. No reply. I began to get frustrated saying "I'm in one of the most beautiful places on earth! Where are you God?!"
It wasn't until this morning that I sat down and sincerely spoke with God about the matter. Here's how the conversation went:

Me: Where are you God? I know you're here and I'm not doubting your existence, but where are you? Where would you have me find you?
God: Where you seek me.
Me: Really? Is that your answer?
God: Yes.
Me: Why not in like the ocean, or a bird, or even children? Why not something specific and obvious like that?
God: I am there.
Me: But you said where I seek you.
God: You seek me in those places.
Me: Yes.
God: I am there.

and that was it. God has a way of keeping it short and simple yet so full of wisdom.
After this little conversation I felt more at peace about the situation. I was wanting an answer from him that required little effort on my part. Something like, "every time you see a bird, think of me and remember my love." But that's not what God said. He said, seek me and you will find me. hmm sounds familiar yeah?

Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

So I'm left to seek. Where? Anywhere. Everywhere. He will be there.