Pursuit

 

To pursue something and to obtain it, first we have to believe we can obtain it. Some call it passion when a pursuit gets to a point when all they do is pursue their goal. Other responsibilities fall to the side when someone is bound and determined to reach that end goal or to maintain that goal. Some might even call it an obsession. 

There's an older movie with Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon in it called "Fever Pitch". If you've not seen it, it's highly recommended. The story is focused around two people, Drew and Jimmy who both have pursuits. She wants a job promotion at her fancy office job and he loves baseball. Of course in romcom fashion everything turns out great at the beginning until baseball season starts. He has home game tickets that his dad left him and he refuses to miss a game. She is cramming for the promotion and in the end both feel neglected. It works out in the end of course but the pursuit of their passions almost lost them love.

Is this another boring lecture about how we shouldn't have any hobbies or passions, nope. I do want to talk about the pursuit of salvation. In the last blog, we talked about the big picture and how we have the opportunity to say goodbye to all our issues and pursue our salvation which is the final goal of being a Christian. The whole point is to follow in the footsteps of Christ, lay down your life/flesh and follow Him. 

What does it look like to pursue Christ?

I can only speak on behalf of my experiences. My pursuit has looked more like an out of shape runner. You know the one who wants to run, has the desire to run yet his body says no. I've been hot, cold, luke warm then hot again but I've always moved forward. Like an out of shape runner, I have fallen over from exhaustion and just laid there refusing to move. I've also pulled a muscle or two along the way as well. Yet, through all of my mistakes and misguided adventures I am still pursuing. I've never pursued anything as long, other than my marriage which really they both go hand in hand. My whole motivation is truth. I refuse to be fed a bunch of lies no matter what source it comes from including myself. 

I question everything and therefore have a lot of trust issues when it comes to religion. I don't pursue something simply because everyone else says that's the way to go. I have to get confirmation from the Spirit in order to move in that direction. This process can often take more time than I want it to but again I'm after truth. I cannot afford to spend years in pursuit of the wrong direction. Blindly pursuing someone is not a good way to go. Pursuit of Christ takes effort.

My passion for truth in following Christ takes me away from mainstream. I don't follow someone else's formula. If someone tells me they spend one hour each morning reading the Bible then they pray each night for an hour before bed to get their desired results, I cannot use their formula for me. I actually despise formulas and avoid them at all costs. Formulas lead to religion and I'm after relationship. Relationships are organic, they flow like a river. Religion flows like a man made canal, in a straight line, no deviation and same flow. Rivers meander following the curvature of the land. Rivers can flow fast or slow. They can be wide, narrow,  shallow or deep. Relationship is never the same way from day to day. For those who try and follow Christ by imitation or repetition, they will be led astray. 

We have an obligation to question what we see and hear others do and say. If I read in the Bible love your neighbour as yourself then hear a preacher say you can only love those that love you, then who's right. Obviously if there's a conflict, study scripture intently until you are completely satisfied that your interpretation of scripture is correct. This takes study of word meanings, context understanding and more. Just because we interpret a verse one way doesn't mean we are correct. While studying, ask the Spirit to give you wisdom in what you are studying. He is the author and He alone can unlock the meaning. After an undetermined time in your studies and once a conclusion is reached, if there's still conflict between what you've come to understand and what someone has said, always follow what God has given you. 

Be prepared to be wrong. The one thing that people in religion are, is stubborn. They think that they are correct in their thinking and everyone else is wrong. Do not be so set in your understanding that you cannot change. Even if God tells them their wrong they don't listen. They'll blame the devil for trying to confuse them or make them change before they listen to God. Rigidity doesn't go well in a relationship. You can often be the one who is wrong so always be prepared to be wrong, it's called humility. 

Pursuit is about failure. We fail way too often in the beginning but failure is always a good thing. Failure tests resolve and resolve measures your ability to get you to the desired goal. If we fail a hundred times, do we have the fortitude to continue in our pursuit? There are a million different ways to fail but only one way to succeed. 

Don't be afraid. Fear is the number one reason why people do not pursue Christ. Fear of the unknown path and what lies ahead can keep you from even leaving the starting gate. The Bible has "Do not fear" 365 times, which is one for each day. It's a constant reminder of how we should always trust in the path God has for us.

What does your pursuit of Him look like? Examine your ways, let Him correct you if needed. Walk, run, jog, lay down, rest, sleep then run again but never turn back. Love your journey, love yourself and most importantly love God. Put Him first in all things and your race will be won.

To God be the Glory!