Notion of "Seeking God"

The concern must be whether the novice truly seeks God and whether he shows eagerness for the Work of God, for obedience and for trials.  The novice should be clearly told all the hardships and difficulties that will lead him to God.   RB 58:7-8

Truly seeking God is therefore the overall sign of a true vocation ... which is authenticated by three particular patterns of behavior:  zeal for the work of God, for obedience, for humiliations.

When we search for someone or something, it can be either because this person or thing is far from us or because, although close, it remains hidden.   A spatial metaphor - We have to cover the distance separating us from God; we have to reverse the steps by which sinful humanity, the prodigal son, has separated itself from God.  

Truly seeking God means, therefore, to consecrate to him not only all one's thoughts but also all one's actions.  After attentiveness to the presence of the Lord comes obedience to his will.   To seek God is to think of him and pray to him.   

Purity of heart, which is synonymous with charity, leads to the heavenly vision of God and the possession of him already in this life.

To seek God is to seek the human perfection willed by God, and this is nothing but perfect harity poured out in us by his Spirit.  

As we seek God, God seeks us .....

Adalbert de Vogue, OSB,  The Search for God in Saint Benedict's Rule, CSR,  Volume 36.4, 2001