The human mind is fixed on self, flitting from one desire, whim, comfort or pleasure to another, unrestrained leading to misery and disaster. Most of us find that self indulgence is very temporary and our parents teach us to delay gratification for satisfaction, which is more lasting and wholesome. Some refuse this and become brats who may mature into bums or worse. Solomon learned that giving into self indulgence produces vanity, misery and emptiness. (Eccl. 2:1; Prov. 21:17) Paul gives a more thorough account of those who reject God and are released to receive the wicked consequences. (Rom. 1:24-32) 

Believers are subject to the same selfishness, but have the Holy Spirit and God’s grace which transforms us over a lifetime into the image of Yeshua Messiah. Here the fog lifts and Yeshua speaks what we need to hear in the moment.  He reaffirms His love and His call to us, “Follow me.” Just as He called the disciples He called you, perhaps as a child. Could it be you were one of the children seeking Yeshua whom He picked you up in His spiritual arms and blessed? If you look at your journey with a human eye you may see disappointment and question, but you will also see the irrefutable evidence of His grace and presence. If you look through a lens of faith and God’s word, you will see His work conforming, molding, changing you and accomplishing through you His will. This is mostly hidden, but will be revealed when we enter into His Presence in heaven. (Col. 3:3-4) 

What you seek is His presence, it may be obscured by worldly cares, but His presence is the fulfillment of your Spiritual longing. Everything is right when we enter His presence, irrespective of the circumstances. Countless testimonies exist of the most onerous trials, hardship, persecution and difficulties becoming as nothing in the overwhelming presence of Yeshua. Consider Stephen being stoned, the disciples rejoicing after being whipped, Corey Ten Boom in a Nazi death camp, Richard Wormbrand tortured, Mary Lazarus sister crying, Missionaries being delivered from death; many not in dire circumstances, such as brother Lawrence, and you and I when we needed a friend and find one in Yeshua.

The center of the universe is a person – Yeshua Messiah. “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”(Colossians 1:15-17) He has reconciled us by and through His blood so we are spotless and free from accusation. His power is at work in us and we have come into His family, such that we long and yearn for more of Him.