Seeking Him

2 Nephi 18:17

"And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him."

A test of faith, as I would see it. Even as the design of this earthly existence is such that our Heavenly Father sends us here, and we are to seek His face.

Amidst life's trials, it can feel as if He is hidden.

Yesterday, my sister and I were running around the chapel (appropriately), through the corridors and into different rooms. She was sitting on my shoulders, while controlling me by pulling my hair (much like in Ratatouille). At one point I got tired, and put her down. Though, she still wanted to ride on my shoulders, and said that she wouldn't move from her spot until I would return her to her throne (in different words though...).

I left the room we were in, to hide around the corner where she wouldn't see me. While I was in my child-mood that night, I giggled, and kept peeking around the corner to see if she would come.

I think Heavenly Father is like that. He's just around the corner, still keeping an eye on us. He hasn't left us completely. Still, He must leave us to a degree, else this mortal experience could not serve it's purpose of strengthening and teaching us things we could not learn if we had stayed at Home, in His presence.

I, like many of us I think, have experienced those times when we do wonder if God is there, watching, blessing, protecting. Those experiences have taught me the value of His words in Deuteronomy 4:29.

"But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul."

That's a promise from God.

On my mission, I met a woman who "used to be a Mormon" but left because she felt she couldn't find 

God, as so many other people have. She didn't have experiences like others have had.

Through experience I have learnt that it's usually after those times when we are close to giving up, that Heavenly Father is discovered, that He shows His face. After pushing through with encouraging self-talk, such as "He has promised I could find Him," "it's just this situation, I know I can do this!" and "I can do all things through Christ!" that He reveals Himself.

Personally, I went so bad in one of my exams, that I become really down throughout the week, and lacked motivation to give it my best. My scripture study slackened, and my faith weakened. Looking back, I would rather have a relationship with God strong and connected, rather than intelligent mastery of my university courses without God. So I repent.

The thrill of discovering God lives, God's love, and how God's ways work and are the formula for success is an exciting one! And He has promised to all that we can find Him. We can find His strength and power and love in our lives.

I finish this post with a quote.

"We all search for happiness, and we all try to find our own 'happily ever after.' ...all you have to do is trust your Heavenly Father. Trust Him enough to follow His plan."

- President Dieter F Uchtdorf, Your Happily Ever After, April 2010 General Conference.