Hey everyone, it has been a long time now since I last wrote and posted a blog. A lot of has occurred, a new year has come and life continues.
This time tho I want to write about a very personal reflection of what God has been communicating in my heart. I pray that as you read along, you will be ministered, refreshed, and touched by the words I will share with you below.
The word suitor when defined in the dictionary means “a man who pursues a relationship with a particular woman, with a view to marriage”, basically someone who pursues another! I come from a culture who highlights courtship very much. As a young girl, I’ve always imagined how it would feel like having someone pursue you like my older girl cousins and church friends have. I mean, who doesn’t like free stuff right? HAHA
That was what my limited knowledge and expectation of it then. Of course, as you walk through life you learn it’s not only about the free stuff. This process of pursuit grows and develops into an intimacy which is one strong foundation to a solid relationship. (1 Corinthians 1:9)
I say that this is very personal because this message spoke strongly in my heart and my pursuit of God. Especially in this season of my life where I am in a new place doing new things, around new people. For someone like me who has been in the ministry for quite some time now (basically grew up in church!) this “you pursue God” thing as part of a good, thriving, healthy Christian life is not new at all.
This is a very important truth, but I (you too believe me) tends to have a default towards our pursuit and love of God. We have a fascination with what we can do to please God basically “self-effort” to please Him. To pursue God is very Biblical, yes! What I used to hear from godly people speaking to me over the years were exhortations from Scripture to follow hard after Him (Psalm 62:5), to seek Him diligently, to devote my heart to Him…and then He would reward me (Hebrews 11:6). But my love and pursuit needed to be my response to God because of Him first loving me, Him empowering that pursuit by Him living His life in me.
Like what I said I’m a certified church girl. I love doing the things of God and being surrounded with people who loves the Lord. But I think sometimes we become too attached to the “activities” that we do for Him that we forget the very reason why we can do it. I think I reached that point in my life at some point during this season. (Okay now, I’m being vulnerable! haha) Like, I got tired! Tired of stuff haha. If the emphasis is on our seeking Him, we can march as a soldier to the steps of obedience, endurance and duty alone. That is very tiresome believe me! We begin to lose our joy and delight in walking with God and focus on what we are to do in the Christian life rather than the joy of being a beloved child in whom Christ lives and works. (Been there!!) We can overlook the Spirit’s vital role, His divine resources and His supernatural empowering. With the focus on being an enduring soldier, we can miss the fact that He radically loves us and wants us to enjoy all things as His child
As people of God whether or not in the ministry our true identity is found not in what we do for Christ, how hard we pursue Him, or how others view us. But rather it is found in our belonging to Jesus Christ, whom God says we are (a beloved son or daughter of His), and how God sees us now in Christ. Our identity stems from an authentic relationship with God that He initiated in love.
These truths have been haunting me for weeks now (in a good way!)– that God is and has been pursuing me with His radical love all my life! (WOW) Just when I thought I figured it out already... He’s got MORE!
Just when I thought I was done and tired. Here He is calling my name AGAIN. Speaking in my heart during random times in my day and even sleepless nights just feeling an eeky thing on the inside I know the Holy Spirit calling me out. Hearing preachers that speak straight to my heart giving clearer perspective to the things God is telling me during those sleepless nights! (Ptr.Steven Furtick!! Whooohoo #ShamelessPlug)
Yes our pursuit of Him is important, but what’s most important is our response to His first loving us (2 Corinthians 5:14; 1 John 4:19).
It is easy to believe that the Christian life is all up to us. Yet even godly men and women get tired of chasing after God. (hands up!) God’s pursuit of you and me has absolutely nothing to do with our level of obedience, our righteousness, or dedication to spiritual disciples. It has never been about our faithfulness to God; it’s about His faithfulness. Spiritual disciplines do not activate God’s love for us or cause Him to come closer to us. God is the heavyweight in the Christian life. It is about His strength, His ability, His love, His longing, His resolve to stay in a relationship with us. God longs for an intimate relationship even more than we do. Capturing our heart with His love is one of God’s all-consuming passions that is constantly in His thoughts. (There is a spiritual balance and discipline needed for this but I’ll write that for next time. #GraceWithoutDiscipline haha *wink )
God’s love for me, His pursuit and value in me, His powerful role in my living the Christian life…that He not only chases after me but never takes His eyes off me. We are being sought after and pursued by a “SUITOR” --- God.
God is pursuing you and me. And it’s not about self-effort to be near him! It’s He who desired, longs, and so relentlessly calls us out to be with Him.
It takes faith to see the things of God. And I’m sure is glad to be back on track seeing better on what’s ahead. #GodisFAITHFUL
(Next blog post: The SOURCE coming next week *hopefully, haha)
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