Retracing Our Steps: Seeking Jesus in a Distracted World

We lose things in our household quite a bit. It’s a real struggle. And there are generally two ways of dealing with lost things. The right way, which my wife Stephanie follows, is to put things back where they belong so they don’t get lost in the first place. But the reality is, I live in a house full of guys, and we don’t do that very well. We have good intentions—we tell ourselves we’ll put it back later—but often, we forget.

This idea of misplacing things and retracing our steps isn’t just relevant to our daily lives; it’s deeply applicable to our spiritual walk. Sometimes, we need to retrace our spiritual steps to find what we’ve lost. Good spiritual habits—like consistent prayer, regular Bible study, and active faith—help us stay on course. But when we drift, we need a plan to get back on track.

Retracing Our Steps Spiritually

When something is lost, one way to find it is by carefully retracing our steps, going back through our actions until we recognize where we left it. Spiritually, this process can be just as necessary. If our prayer life has dwindled or our faith feels distant, we need to ask: What was working before? What habits kept me connected to God? Sometimes, going back to those basics is the key to finding our spiritual footing again.

In Luke 2:41-52, we find an example of this principle in action. Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph, were traveling home from Jerusalem when they realized Jesus was missing. In their panic, they retraced their steps back to Jerusalem, only to find Him in the temple, listening and teaching. This story reveals a profound spiritual truth: When we feel lost, we must go back to where we last encountered Jesus.

Why Are We Seeking Jesus?

When Mary and Joseph finally found Jesus, He asked them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). This is a profound question—not just for them, but for us today.

Are we seeking Jesus out of habit, out of obligation, or out of a true desire to be with Him? Are we seeking Him to avoid hardship, or are we seeking Him because He is our source of life? Too often, we search for Jesus only when we need something, rather than out of a deep longing to be near Him. The difference between seeking Jesus out of necessity and seeking Him out of love is significant. A faith built on convenience will crumble under pressure, but a faith grounded in genuine relationship with God will withstand trials.

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” This means that our priority must be God, not just the benefits of following Him. When our faith is built on a transactional mindset—seeking God only for blessings or help—we miss the depth of a true relationship with Him. Seeking Jesus means desiring His presence above all else.

The Vision of God’s Kingdom

Mary and Joseph weren’t bad parents—they were human. And like all of us, they made mistakes. But what defined them wasn’t their failure; it was how they responded. They went back, searched for Jesus, and realigned their priorities.

The same is true for us. We are not defined by our failures, but by what we do next. If we find ourselves distant from God, we must choose to seek Him with intention. That means engaging in prayer, diving into His Word, and actively pursuing His will for our lives.

Jesus calls us to a deeper vision—one that isn’t always in alignment with societal expectations. Following Him might mean going against the grain, standing apart, or facing challenges. But the goal is not comfort; it’s faithfulness. We are called to raise up a generation that pursues God passionately, even if it means standing alone.

If you’ve found yourself distant from God, now is the time to retrace your steps. Go back to what worked. Return to His presence. Seek Jesus, and you will find Him right where He has always been—waiting for you, calling you back into His Father’s house.

Are you ready to seek Him? Let’s do it together.