My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:8
We are drawing to the end of Passion Week, the week that led up to the death of Jesus Christ, death on a cross. One can’t help but think about His sufferings when we ponder on the events leading up to it. But this may also lead us to think about our pursuit of Christ and whether we are passionately pursuing Him or merely taking His death for granted. Needless to say, I found it quite fitting when I heard in my spirit, right before falling asleep, “Passionately Pursuing Purpose.”
If you are a Believer of Jesus Christ you have a purpose that supersedes all other purposes, that is to seek God, love God and worship God with all your heart. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you Mat 6:33. When we put God first He will fulfill His promises. When we put God first then all the idols that were once important to us will fade away and His meaningful plans will come forth. Do you know your purpose?
God is my purpose and pursuing Him in the lingering fragrance of His Spirit is my passion. I find myself in deep desire for my Savior, for His intimacy, His voice, even His fragrance. I am not the same person I once was, I am not passionate about this world and the things of it any longer, praise God I have found purpose! Have you come to the end of yourself yet? Is there a burning desire within to seek the things that are unsearchable? If so then you are on your way to pursuing Heaven and the things of it with passion, especially the One of Heaven.
A Promise for Pursuers
To pursue means to follow after, chase, run or endeavor to attain; to strive to reach or gain. Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. {Mat 16:24 NKJV}. Jesus gave instruction to His disciples when He told them to deny themselves, taking up their own crosses in order to follow Him. The only way to truly pursue Christ is by denying ourselves and all the things in us that are exalted above Jesus, this will lead to holiness. Jesus also said "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Luke 13:24 NKJV.
God asks His people to pursue Him when He says ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ and He has a promise for those who will; For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jer 33:3 & 29:11-13 NIV.
Passion is Painful The word passion sounds like a good feeling but it actually can represent suffering. Look at Acts 1:3 in the King James Version, To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: The word translated passion here means suffering. After Jesus showed Himself alive after His sufferings He spoke of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. The 1828 Webster’s Dictionary defines passion as suffering, the feeling of the mind, or the sensible effect of impression. It also goes on to define passion as excitement or agitation of the mind; as desire, fear, hope, joy, grief, love, hatred. A violent agitation or excitement of mind, and an eager desire. Passion can be painful both physically as in Christ’s sufferings and mentally as in agonizing feelings. Often times when we suffer the trials of this life, we forget to share the kingdom of God through it but it is our testimony that speaks the grace of God.
Passion is Love
Passion is also a form of love. Entering into the sufferings of Christ is an act of love, an act of laying our lives down just as the Savior did for us. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, Phil 3:10 NIV. Jesus warned there would be trouble in this world; "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" John 16:33 . However, because He has overcome the world and His Spirit is in us, we too can overcome the troubles of this world, but only if we seek Him first.
A Worshipers Heart
King David had a heart of worship even when he went to war, even when he fell from grace; he came back to his first love, God.
O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1
Our lives should be a constant pursuit filled with passion as we seek our Father through the Savior! There should be glory in our tribulation, thankful that though we suffer in this life we will spend an eternity with the One who bore our sin so we can rest. King David was once a young boy who was a mere shepherd then became a hero after killing Goliath. David was a man of war and a man of noble inheritance. Behind all these faces of David he was first a lover of God, a worshiper who passionately pursued God by loving His law and keeping His statutes. We have much to learn from the life of David and his pursuit of holiness.
Pursuing God’s Glory
So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory Psalm 63:2. May we be found looking for the Father’s power and glory in the sanctuary, in the marketplace, in the villages and in the cities. May we be in constant contact with the Spirit of glory and holiness and may it be said of us that we are on fire for God because His loving kindness is better than life. Let us bless the Lord while we live and our souls will be ever satisfied because praise for Him will always be on our lips!
Ernestine Graham 4/13/17