It was in my first week of college that I really reached for God.

I was new and nameless on a giant, liberal campus. My family was en route to their home 2000 miles away. For the first time in my life, I had no accountability.

I realized I could decide to follow Jesus as I’d been taught in my childhood, or not. In my dorm room, I chose to give God a chance to lead my new freedom. I told Him so, and then I started reaching.

I began my mornings with Him. I found a Bible study. I visited churches. Regardless of who was around, I prayed at meals. I began to find God paving my way. I began to find God-seekers all over my path.

Reaching, striving, seeking takes effort. It begins with words, perhaps, but then involves eyes, feet, hands, and heart. Like seeking a job, a new home, sobriety, good health, a spouse or a college major, reaching takes strides.

Jesus reached for His Father during 40 days of fasting in the desert. He continued to reach for Him every time He snuck away to pray. The Bible says, “Try Me! Look for Me! Ask Me!” or as Matthew 7:7 puts it, “Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened.”

Reach out for God and He will undoubtedly reach back to you!