When my wife, Louise, and I were sophomores in high school we first met in a Spanish class. I was so absolutely knocked over with this dynamic girl! Each day I woke up, she’d be the first thing on my mind. I would see her in several classes, in student government programs, and at various sports events. I’d wonder if she would ever have the same feelings for me as I had for her.
I looked so forward to my time with her, curious, wondering where we’d go, what we’d do and talk about. And I wanted to know everything there was to know about her. I fantasized about spending our entire lives together and wondered what that would be like.
After five years from that first meeting, Louise agreed to become my bride! That was fifty-five years ago. Wow — how time flies! While there were difficult times (primarily because I was a rock-head) we worked through our stuff together. Over the past five-and-a-half decades my love for her has grown as my understanding of God’s love and grace for me has developed.
When courting Louise, nobody ever had to ask me if I was spending time with her regularly. I didn’t have to make a special effort to schedule time with her. I could hardly wait to spend time with her. And I told her everything — my hopes, dreams, fears — even dumb stuff.
While in college we were apart. Long distance calls were expensive and we missed each other a lot, we tried to write each other daily. We’d mail our letters back and forth to try to fill in the lonely times between visits.
Now, imagine if we each pursued God like that. And why shouldn’t we? He wants us to be completely smitten with Him. God doesn’t want to be just another priority among priorities. He wants to be on our hearts and minds all day long every day.
The Psalmist expressed his longing for God like this: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm 42:1–2)
Sometimes I think we pursue God like a college degree — way too structured, forced, and impersonal. He wants a relationship with us, not an appointment. Let’s stop putting God on our list of things to do today and start pursuing Him from our heart. And by the way, He’s coming back for us. I can hardly wait!
Scripture Reading: Psalm 16
Personal Application
What are some ways you can develop this kind of relationship with the Lord? If you already enjoy this kind of relationship with the Lord, what advice could you give others? Share this devotional with someone and describe for them how you pursue God.
Jim Grassi, D. Min. and Wendell Morton
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5