“When we are powerless to do a thing, it is a great joy that we can come and step inside the ability of Jesus.” - Corrie ten Boom
I know sometimes we can get caught up in the motions of life, but I want to encourage all of us to continue our pursuit of Christ. Something my pastor said recently really put this into perspective for me: “It’s sad how many of us stop the pursuit once we’ve obtained what we want.” He was referring to personal relationships and marriage, but I’ve realized we sometimes do the same thing when it comes to our relationship with God.
People come to find Jesus, but they fail to continue the pursuit once they “have what they want.” We act like once we’ve found him, we don’t need to seek him anymore. We don’t necessarily say that, but we sure do act like it.
As we’ve already discussed, Jesus isn’t here just to do things for us. He’s interested in the relationship … the pursuit. The other day a friend of mine shared a great remark that really highlights how our relationship with Jesus is about pursuit and knowledge—not “what Jesus can do for me.” My friend reminded me that Jesus didn’t go around saying to people, “I raise the dead.” That’s an action; it doesn’t tell us who he is. Instead, Jesus told his followers, “I am the resurrection and the life.” You hear the difference? It’s not what he does; it’s who he is that’s so important. Jesus is so much more interested in us knowing him, loving him, and pursuing him than us getting what we think we want.
Pursuit isn’t a light switch you flick on and off. God has called us to continually seek his face (Ps. 105:4). And although “continually” may seem like a bit much, it’s what he’s called us to. We should thirst after time with our Father. There is nothing more fulfilling.
Believe me, I know sometimes things get crazy and hectic. But in reality, we give time to the things we care about.
Failing to spend time with God cannot be excused by lack of time or ambition. I believe Satan is at the core of these excuses when we use them. Why? Because Satan doesn’t want us spending any time with God. He shudders at the thought of another child being added into God’s family.
Jesus didn’t die so we could spend only five or ten minutes with him a day. If you want a deeper relationship with God, stop digging through Scripture with a spoon. Open up and dig deep.
VERSE OF THE DAY “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matt 6:33).
CHALLENGE Start making it a priority to give God more of your time, energy, and focus. Allow him the time he deserves, not just the time you have left.
DISCUSS
Discuss what it means to pursue God.
Name people throughout Scripture who pursued the presence of God.
In what ways does pursuing God strengthen our relationship with him?
30 Words Daily Devotion
WORD 13 - PURSUE
“When we are powerless to do a thing, it is a great joy that we can come and step inside the ability of Jesus.” - Corrie ten Boom
I know sometimes we can get caught up in the motions of life, but I want to encourage all of us to continue our pursuit of Christ. Something my pastor said recently really put this into perspective for me: “It’s sad how many of us stop the pursuit once we’ve obtained what we want.” He was referring to personal relationships and marriage, but I’ve realized we sometimes do the same thing when it comes to our relationship with God.
People come to find Jesus, but they fail to continue the pursuit once they “have what they want.” We act like once we’ve found him, we don’t need to seek him anymore. We don’t necessarily say that, but we sure do act like it.
As we’ve already discussed, Jesus isn’t here just to do things for us. He’s interested in the relationship … the pursuit. The other day a friend of mine shared a great remark that really highlights how our relationship with Jesus is about pursuit and knowledge—not “what Jesus can do for me.” My friend reminded me that Jesus didn’t go around saying to people, “I raise the dead.” That’s an action; it doesn’t tell us who he is. Instead, Jesus told his followers, “I am the resurrection and the life.” You hear the difference? It’s not what he does; it’s who he is that’s so important. Jesus is so much more interested in us knowing him, loving him, and pursuing him than us getting what we think we want.
Pursuit isn’t a light switch you flick on and off. God has called us to continually seek his face (Ps. 105:4). And although “continually” may seem like a bit much, it’s what he’s called us to. We should thirst after time with our Father. There is nothing more fulfilling.
Believe me, I know sometimes things get crazy and hectic. But in reality, we give time to the things we care about.
Failing to spend time with God cannot be excused by lack of time or ambition. I believe Satan is at the core of these excuses when we use them. Why? Because Satan doesn’t want us spending any time with God. He shudders at the thought of another child being added into God’s family.
Jesus didn’t die so we could spend only five or ten minutes with him a day. If you want a deeper relationship with God, stop digging through Scripture with a spoon. Open up and dig deep.
VERSE OF THE DAY
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matt 6:33).
CHALLENGE
Start making it a priority to give God more of your time, energy, and focus. Allow him the time he deserves, not just the time you have left.
DISCUSS
Wilson, J. (2016). 30 words: a devotional for the rest of us. (2nd Edition, Ed.) (pp. 74–77). Bellingham, WA: Kirkdale Press.