You Cannot Find Yourself if Nobody is There ∙∙

You Cannot Find Yourself if Nobody is There ∙∙

You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:13

Isaiah 55:6-9

Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.

Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return to the LORD. And He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

The Pursuit of Peace and Identity

Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, a renowned counseling psychologist and bestselling author, sagely asserted, “Peace is the result of retraining your mind to see life as it really is, rather than as you think it should be.” This notion of mental retraining holds significant practical importance, prompting a critical inquiry: What should we be conditioning our minds to accept and believe?

The search for identity and purpose is a fundamental human endeavor. Over millennia, individuals have sought to understand the essence of who they are and the meaning of their lives. Numerous solutions have emerged, predominantly centered on the self, which positions the individual at the core of existence. As Dyer articulates, “The idea of finding yourself simply means accessing your confidence, natural and potential abilities, sense of self-worth, self-reliance, and independence.”

A Divine Perspective on Identity

In contrast, the Father offers a very different view. In His kingdom, the focus shifts from discovering ourselves to discovering Him. When we encounter Him, we find our true identity as His beloved, adopted children. It is this relationship with the Father that helps us understand who we truly are.

Usually, two separate paths are presented for self-discovery and achieving inner peace.

Man’s Way: The Self-Help Movement

The first path is man’s way, often reflected in the self-help movement. This approach centers on transforming oneself into an idealized version of oneself. It suggests that through dedication and self-reflection, individuals can unlock their hidden potential and achieve extraordinary success. In some cases, this philosophy even claims that people can reach a level of enlightenment, equating their existence with that of divine beings.

The Father’s Way: Sanctification

The Father’s approach sharply contrasts. It does not emphasize the pursuit of becoming a better version of ourselves. Instead, we concentrate on recognizing and accepting our renewed identity in Christ. Through spiritual rebirth, we receive this new identity at the moment of salvation. This process is called sanctification. Sanctification involves discovering our new identity and living it out. As we do, we become more like Christ and experience more of what it means to be children of the King.

John Newton, the well-known author of the hymn “Amazing Grace,” powerfully illustrates this transformation. Newton’s life changed radically after he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. His words capture the deep inner change produced by the Father.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!

Newton’s profession of faith echoes the universal human experience of feeling adrift, lacking direction, and overwhelmed by hopelessness. His melodic musings emphasize that true transformation and inner peace stem not from self-help methods but from the grace of God.

The Universal Struggle

The feeling of being lost and lacking direction or purpose is a common thread in the human experience. How can someone truly discover themselves? The answer is in realizing that we can’t find ourselves when we are spiritually depleted and empty. It is through the transformative work of the Father in our lives that we can uncover our true identity and purpose.

REFLECT & PRAY

John F. Kennedy wisely asserted that, “Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures.”

Father, thank You for seeking to transform the minds of each of Your children (Ephesians 4:23). You desire that we think Your thoughts and align our hearts with Your will.

INSIGHT

The Father’s Desire to Be Found

The Father is not playing a cosmic game of hide-and-seek with humanity. He sincerely desires to be found and actively invites people to seek Him. Through the prophet Isaiah, the Father calls out to each individual: Isaiah 55:6: “Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.”

The issue lies not with God, but with humanity itself. Many people deliberately turn away from the Father, choosing to run from Him rather than get closer. Despite the Father’s persistent, urgent call, they often find comfort in their rebellion. The window of opportunity is limited, and time is running out. The time to respond won’t last forever.

A Medieval Illustration of Urgency

Pause for a moment and imagine a medieval kingdom under siege, where the castle serves as a safe haven for its inhabitants. As enemies approach, warning horns or drums sound from the castle’s watchtowers, calling everyone to seek shelter. Timing is critical, as the drawbridge will soon be raised, the iron gate lowered, and the inner doors secured in preparation for the attack. Once closed, the castle becomes impenetrable, leaving those outside vulnerable to the invading forces.

Similarly, the Father’s kingdom offers mercy and protection, but individuals must act quickly and decisively. They need to change their way of thinking and living, abandon their selfish and evil ways, and return to the Father. His promise is clear: the Father will show compassion, forgive sins, and grant pardon. However, the choice to respond is up to each person.

A Promise of Discovery

A remarkable promise accompanies the Father’s invitation. Jeremiah 29:13-14: “If you will seek Me and search for Me with all your heart, you will find Me, says the LORD.”

This is a remarkable opportunity; however, there is a substantial disconnect between humanity and the Father. Isaiah’s words clarify the cause of this separation.

Father’s Higher Ways

Isaiah 55:8-9:

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

In the Book of Isaiah, the Father makes it clear why people must abandon their old ways and adopt His. Humanity’s thoughts and actions are fundamentally different from God’s. As Gary Smith explains, “The thoughts of an Almighty God who has created the world, controls the history of nations, and plans what will happen to each person have a world perspective that is beyond the realm of human comprehension.”

A Lifelong Transformation

Becoming part of God’s Forever Family requires a gradual inward transformation. As human beings, we are often constrained by our earthly perspectives and limitations. However, becoming children of the King launches us into a lifelong journey of personal and spiritual growth. This path challenges us to think in alignment with God’s thoughts and to adjust our ways to reflect His will voluntarily.

The Father’s call is more than just an invitation; it is a pathway to transformation that provides mercy, protection, and a new way of life for those who earnestly seek Him wholeheartedly.

True peace and identity are not discovered through self-serving pursuits but rather through the transformative grace of the Father. As we seek Him, we uncover our true selves and experience the enduring peace that only He can provide.

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© Dr. H 2026