Transformational Thought
We all love our children. Nothing in this world is more precious to us than our kids. As a parent, I get excited when my kids pursue me. The best feeling comes when they do it not out of need, but because they love me and want to hang out with me. What they don’t realize is I have been pursuing them all along, whether they like it or not, whether they want me or not. I pursued them even before they were born! If you are a parent, you know exactly what I mean
Eventually we all come to the same life-changing, eternity-determining fork in the road of life. Figuring out where we came from, what happens when we die, what our purpose or life path will be, and whether we can do everything on our own are questions that bring us to this all important juncture. When you reach this fork, you have two options: to answer these questions by pursuing God, or to ignore God and make yourself the center of these important answers.
Some arrive at the fork at age 4, others as teens and some when they are adults. Even if we take the wrong path initially, we get to circle back many times during our lives. When we choose the correct path, setting out to know our God more intimately, He certainly rejoices but He is not surprised. If you are waking up and finally starting to pursue Him, it’s because He has been pursuing you all along. You are finally realizing your need to acknowledge His call and respond to it.
While this longing for Him burns brightly in your heart, remember it originates from Him. Know, just as parents do, that God was pursuing you long before your quest for Him began. If you think your spiritual discipline keeps you close to God, you are at risk. If you depend solely on your own efforts to stay close to God, you will surely find times where you are distant from Him. But if you put His love and pursuit of you as the first step, you will understand the bigger story of His sovereignty and sacrifice, your need for all He has, and your responsibility to steward your free will faithfully. I find this to be powerfully reassuring and freeing. At times, the power of it all mesmerizes me.
Today, thank your Lord for awakening a strong desire for Him. The events in your life are meant to refocus the source of your answers from yourself to God. Even before you were born, He loved, planned and pursued you. Take two separate breaks today and search your heart. What does God want you to release? Answer His wake-up call. Whether you answer His call and experience His joy or you hit the snooze button and miss it — it’s your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, Thank You for awakening me and placing in my heart this strong desire for You. Before I realized Your consistent effort to wake me up, I took the wrong fork and found answers in so many different places. I tried so hard to fill the void. Many times, I filled it in sinful ways. Forgive me, Lord. I realize now that I have thirsted for You as far back in time as I can remember. I know now that my desire for a closer walk with You grew out of all the work You have done in me. I know You have initiated this longing I have for You, and I know my response now pleases You. Lord, help me to set aside time and use the remote control of my mind to engage with You each day. I pray in the name of Jesus, who died for my ultimate awakening. And all God’s children say AMEN!
The Truth“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” Psalm 42:2
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5