Ellen White's writings emphasize the profound importance of seeking God, not merely for His blessings, but for a personal relationship with Him. She highlights that the very desire to come to God is an indication of His Spirit drawing us to Him. Key aspects of seeking God include: * **Desiring God Himself:** "Desire not merely His blessing, but Himself. 'Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace.' Job 22:21 . Seek, and you shall find. God is seeking you, and the very desire you feel to come to Him is but the drawing of His Spirit. Yield to that drawing." (MB 131.1) * **Seeking Him while He may be found:** "My brethren and sisters, seek the Lord while He may be found. There is a time coming when those who have wasted their time and opportunities will wish they had sought Him." (9T 106.3) * **Seeking with all the heart and zeal:** "Young friends, seek the Lord with all your heart. Come with zeal, and when you sincerely feel that without the help of God you perish; when you pant after him as the hart panteth after the water-brooks, then will the Lord strengthen you speedily." (2SG 257.2) * **Prayer and humble dependence:** "If you expect salvation, you must pray. Take time. Be not hurried and careless in your prayers. Beg of God to work in you a thorough reformation, that the fruits of his Spirit may dwell in you, and you shine as lights in the world." (2SG 257.2). She further states, "If you come to God, feeling helpless and dependent, as you really are, and in humble, trusting prayer make your wants known to Him whose knowledge is infinite... He can and will attend to your cry, and will let light shine into your heart and all around you; for through sincere prayer your soul is brought into connection with the mind of the Infinite." (3T 323.2) * **Study of God's Word:** "Study God's word diligently, that you may not be ignorant of Satan's devices, and that you may learn the way of salvation more perfectly." (2T 313.1) * **Submerging one's will in God's will:** "Your will must be submerged in God's will. Seek not your own pleasure, but that of those around you; and in so doing you cannot but be happy." (2T 313.1) * **Forsaking wicked ways:** "Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." (5T 540.4) * **Longing for God:** "Let your heart break for the longing it has for God, for the living God." (COL 149.2) * **Humility and obedience:** "Do you desire the wisdom of God? Then humble yourselves before Him; walk in the way of His commandments; determine that you will make the most of every opportunity granted you." (CT 235.1) Ellen White emphasizes that God is willing to do much for us if we feel our need of Him and that through faith, we can obtain strength to resist temptation (4T 561.2). She encourages us to make God our Counselor and to keep close to Him, not taking worldly ideas as our criterion (7T 267.2).