Since the summer of 2008, it has been the desire of my heart to want God more than I want my next breath. Last month, I read a great post by Justin and Trisha Davis that renewed my commitment to passionately pursuing this in my life. I haven’t arrived, but I desperately want to be there.
My problem? I find myself passionately pursuing what He can do for me instead of Who He is. I continually come back to thoughts expressed in the song “Open Up the Sky” (Deluge).
I long to live a life of radical faith and radical belief in a God who is far greater than I can comprehend. In my Bible, I see examples of people who had what I want. “[T]he LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend” (Exodus 33:11 NLT). Mary discovered the secret too. She “sat at the Lord’s feet” (Luke 10:39 NLT). Jesus told Martha that Mary had discovered the “only . . . thing worth being concerned about” (Luke 10:42 NLT).
David found mercy and grace despite his bad choices, and he passionately pursued God through some really tough situations. Esther discovered God’s presence through intense prayer and fasting despite His silence. Paul found that “everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8 NLT).
I want to join these and other heroes of the faith. I want to seek out and value God Himself, even if I never receive another blessing from His hands. Jesus said he considers us friends (John 15:15). Friends don’t use one another for what they can get out of each other. They engage in relationship.
Part of the reason I don’t have the relationship I want to have with God is because I don’t take the time to seek Him out. My priorities are out of order. I let other things and people become more important than spending time pursuing the God of the universe. I truly believe that if I really know Him, I will love and value Him above everything else. The problem is that I don’t really know Him, and the only way I’m going to get to know Him is to spend time with Him in prayer, through His Word, and in worship. I’ve got changes to make. I’ve got pursue my Creator with the same passion with which He pursues me.
Are you passionately pursuing God? How are you entering His presence?
Amen! Great word. Personally I find that passionately pursuing God is easier on some days than others but taking time to do so is as easy as taking time for yourself. My wife and I both love the arts so we take time each week to paint or write or whatever making a special point to invite God into the space and move through us as we do so. it turns something we both love into a kind of spiritual discipline.
I love that idea! Thank you so much. I love to write too, but I never thought about turning my writing into a spiritual discipline by allowing God to move through me as I write. (I do pray about what I write here, but I do other writing too and never thought of asking Him into that as well!)
Have a blessed day!
~Jennifer
Your line: “I want to seek out and value God Himself, even if I never receive another blessing from His hands.” really spoke to me. I find myself sometimes thinking God should do “this” or “that” when really He doesn’t need to do anything for me because He’s already given His son. I love that song in the video too.
I do the same thing, Alicia! You’re right. He’s already given everything for us. I’m glad you like the song. It’s one of my favorites!
~Jennifer
I to struggle to spend the time I want with God. I get caught up in other things that don’t really matter. I can’t promise perfection but I promise to try xxx
That’s all any of us can do, Sara. We will all keep trying until we’re made perfect. Thanks for stopping by today!
~Jennifer
I’m right there with ya! Pursuing Him passionately, as He has pursued me. Love this song, by the way. Going to have to teach it to my church.
It would be a great worship song for your church!
~Jennifer
Great truth! I want to know him more. I often wonder why I don’t pursue him like i would/do my best friendships. He is so worth more and all of my time and effort.
I completely agree, Tracee! In my case, I just have my priorities messed up. It’s so easy to focus my time and attention elsewhere!
~Jennifer
“passionate pursuit” — i can’t say that those words have ever truly described my relationship with God. i want them to, but apparently not enough to actually do it.
i want to want Him more than i do…
Me too, Alece! It’s one of my deepest, most heartfelt prayers…
~Jennifer