Precision Pursuit
Day 1 | Drawing Near
Do you remember a time when you wanted something really bad?
For me, it was the pursuit of my wife when we first started dating. The first night required some boldness, but thankfully it had a great payoff.
I still remember the shock on her face when she received a dozen roses after that first night. At that point, it became full-on pursuit.
Now, I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way, but I got the prize.
I’ve also pursued promotions, titles, and recognition throughout my career. By God’s grace, I’ve had some success there too.
But I can tell you this:
- A title can feel empty.
- Winning President’s Club can feel empty.
- Success without purpose never satisfies for long.
So let me ask you:
- What are you pursuing?
- And is it truly satisfying?
My most meaningful pursuit has been pursuing God.
Oddly enough, the closer I’ve grown to Him, the more I’ve realized He was pursuing me long before I ever started pursuing Him.
Scripture tells us:
- Ask, and you will receive.
- Seek, and you will find.
- Knock, and the door will be opened.
- Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
God does not force relationship, but when we make the first move, He faithfully meets us there.
When Wende and I first got married, we quickly found ourselves living in Chicago while I attended electronics training in the Navy. It was cold, unfamiliar, and honestly a little lonely.
Out of ignorance and immaturity, I did not realize how lonely she was because I was so focused on school and learning electronics. I was right there beside her but failed to see what I can clearly see now.
Spiritually, I wasn’t much different.
I loved God, but I was not truly pursuing Him. I wanted Him close enough for emergencies, but not close enough for relationship.
Still, God was faithful.
I knew where my help came from, and every time we had a need, He was there.
Not long after getting out of the military, Wende and I attended a revival service where we both realized there was more.
More understanding.
More relationship.
More of God than we had experienced before.
Quite honestly, our prayer became simple:
“Lord, we want more.”
At the time, I wasn’t searching Scripture trying to figure out how to pursue God. It felt much more natural than that.
The best way I can describe it is this:
I fell in love with Jesus.
Precision Practice
Are you truly pursuing Jesus, or simply calling on Him when you need something?
The most fulfilling pursuit of my life has been pursuing a deeper relationship with Him.
Today, choose to pursue something with eternal value.
The blessings come as we pursue more of Him.
Do you want more?
Then draw near.
Precision Passages
James 4:8 NKJV
(8) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV
(7) “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
(8) For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Hebrews 10:22 NKJV
(22) let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.