Verse:
Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Devotional Thought:
Easter egg hunts are a highlight of the holiday brightly colored eggs hidden in odd spots, filled with mystery and potential. As kids (and even adults), we love the search: under the bush, behind the tree, tucked into flower pots. Some eggs have chocolate, some money, some cheap toys, and some… disappointingly, are empty. It’s a mix of hope, excitement, and sometimes, letdown.
Our faith journey can feel like that too.
We go looking for something real, something that fills us, and we’re often guided by what others say is valuable. Sometimes we find deep truth and joy; other times, it feels like we’re coming up with stale candy or empty eggs things that looked good but lacked substance.
I remember one year when my great-grandmother gave me a Cadbury Creme Egg as a post-Easter treat. I was thrilled—those were rare treasures in the 90s. But one bite in, and I knew something was wrong. It had spoiled—rotten, even. I have no idea how long she’d been saving it, but the disappointment lingered for a long time. The next time I had one, I approached it with hesitation, wondering if it would be the real thing or another letdown.
That’s what it’s like when our experiences with faith or church or God seem off. We expect sweetness, richness, life but we taste bitterness or feel let down. And sometimes, it takes courage to try again, to believe that what we’re seeking really can satisfy.
There’s another year I remember hunting eggs with my kids and stumbling across eggs from previous Easters. Forgotten, hidden so well that even we missed them. As an adult, I’ve also been the one hiding eggs and rediscovering old ones. This year, I even counted them ahead of time and tried to recall every spot so my son wouldn’t miss any—and so we wouldn’t find surprise eggs a year from now.
That’s the beauty and challenge of spiritual growth it’s not always immediate. Some truths are uncovered later, through a long process of seeking. Some sweet moments of grace show up long after the celebration ends, tucked into seasons where we least expect them. And yes, sometimes God surprises us with little reminders—like finding leftover candy weeks after Easter that His goodness can appear even when we think we’ve missed it.
Jesus said, “Seek, and you will find.” But He didn’t say everything would be found instantly. Sometimes we need to slow down, look closer, or be guided by someone who’s already walked the path. Sometimes we need to be willing to toss the spoiled egg and reach again for the real thing.
Reflection Questions:
- What are you hoping to find in your faith right now? Have you been disappointed before?
- Have you recently uncovered something from your past—an experience, a teaching, or a moment with God—that now shines with new meaning?
- What’s one way you can shift your focus from spiritual performance to genuine pursuit?
Prayer:
God, thank You for being the kind of Father who hides treasures for us to find—not to frustrate us, but to deepen our faith. Forgive me when I settle for shiny appearances or quick fixes. Help me slow down and truly seek You with my whole heart. And when I taste bitterness or disappointment, remind me that You are still good and still near. Give me the courage to seek again, and the joy of discovering what You’ve prepared. Amen.
Related Verses for Deeper Study:
- Matthew 7:7–8 (NIV) – “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; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
- Proverbs 2:4–5 (NIV) – “And if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”
- Luke 11:9–10 (NLT) – “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”
- Psalm 34:8 (NIV) – “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
Author’s Note:
Sometimes the sweetest truths come after we’ve unwrapped some bitter disappointments. Thank you for letting me share both the light and the real with you. God isn’t hiding to be cruel—He’s hiding to draw you closer. Keep seeking, friend. The treasure is worth it.
– Joshua