“I will love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.” Proverbs 8:17 (NET)
My calendar was full, but my pantry was empty, so I hurried through the grocery store before an early morning meeting.
As I loaded grocery bags into my trunk, my cell phone rang. “Good news!” a familiar voice announced. “The invisibility potion I drank this morning worked! I’m sending a picture to prove it.”
On cue, a photo of someone pushing a grocery cart appeared in my text stream. The person was wearing my pink stocking cap. My black jacket. My green shoulder bag.
“Who took that picture?” I asked, confused.
“I did,” replied my friend with a giggle. “Right after you passed by me in the cereal aisle.”
When I realized the reason for the cryptic call, I joined my friend’s laughter. I never saw her standing there. But as I drove to work, my amusement turned to chagrin: What else do I miss when I’m in a hurry?
An answer lodged in my mind, and my stomach lurched with conviction: Jesus.
With a wave of nostalgia, I remembered the words my silver-haired Sunday school teacher used to speak at the end of every class: “Children, if you look for Jesus with your whole heart, you’ll find Him.”
Her assurance echoed God's words in Proverbs 8:17: “I will love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.” And tucked in that wisp of timeless truth is instructive insight for all who long to see Jesus more clearly.
The Hebrew word for “seek” in this verse carries the idea of attention and intention. It implies a resolute pursuit, like a beachgoer carefully combing the shoreline for seashells or a hiker willfully treading the same footpath again and again.
Because this kind of seeking involves more than a flippant glance or a perfunctory gaze, it’s difficult to practice in a rush. We may not realize it as we move through our days, but the speed of our steps impacts the clarity of our vision.
Of course, hurry isn’t always expressed in our frantic pace; it can also be our thoughts that race. But whether we’re plagued by whirling worry or a spinning mind, swift steps or a hectic grind, the outcome is the same: Haste hinders wholehearted seeking.
Hurry — in our musing or our moving — keeps us from being fully engaged in the present moment. And when our focus is somewhere else, we’re prone to miss what’s right in front of us …
The smile of a friend in the grocery store.
The beauty of a sun-streaked horizon.
The ache in a neighbor’s eyes.
The presence of God with us.
So, lately, I’m choosing to slow my steps and still my mind, to consider my pace as I allot my time.
Because the same God who sees me (Job 34:21) invites me to see Him too. And I don’t want to miss the faithful Friend who is planted on my path.
Dear Jesus, unhurry my heart, and help me recognize Your presence as I move through my day. I want to see You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
If prayer has ever felt like one more thing on your to-do list, the Pray & Ponder Journal is here to help you experience it differently — with more freedom, less pressure, and a deeper sense of connection with the Lord. Designed as a 60-day journey, this journal offers weekly intentions, space to record prayer requests and God’s answers, creative prompts, and focused prayer pages to help you slow down and truly engage. Whether you are praying for something that feels impossible or simply want to build a more intentional rhythm of talking with God, this journal gives you room to show up as you are. No perfect words. No rigid structure. Just a quiet invitation to draw closer to the One who already knows and loves you. Get your copy today!
For more ideas on how to slow down and spot Jesus, visit Alicia at her website or connect with her on Instagram today.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Psalm 39:6a, “We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing” (NLT).
Luke 18:41, “‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘I want to see!’” (NLT).
What prevents you from intentionally seeking Jesus throughout your day?
What’s one way you can eliminate hurry in your thoughts or your steps right now? Share your thoughts in the comments.
© 2025 by Alicia Bruxvoort. All rights reserved.
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