The God Who PursuesSample

The God Kind of Pursuit

There are several kinds of pursuit. Let’s explore them a bit...shall we?

First, there is the PUNISHMENT pursuit. This is the cops chasing someone to arrest them and take them to jail. I remember watching reruns of the show CHiPs as a child. Every episode began with a PUNISHMENT pursuit. Someone did something crazy, the police chased, an accident took place, and the episode went haywire. 

Then, of course, there was the OJ pursuit. He said he didn’t do anything wrong, but then he took off in a Bronco with his friend, while obeying the speed limit, with police cruisers and helicopters in tow. You don’t see this pursuit very often. I’ve never seen another like it. I suppose this was also a PUNISHMENT pursuit because ultimately, OJ went to jail later that night, and then the trial of the century began.

There’s the RELATIONSHIP pursuit. Boy sees girl. Boy likes girl. Boy decides he wants to be with girl forever, and so boy does what it takes to get girl to say I DO! The pursuer pursues to fulfill his need for companionship.

If you have ever watched track and field, then you have witnessed the COMPETITIVE pursuit. The race is on, and there is a runner out in front. But, behind her, other runners are chasing with the intention of winning the prize.

But none of these are like the GOD pursuit! You see, in God’s pursuit, the intent isn’t punishment. His pursuit isn’t focused on winning a cheap gold plated trophy. And while God yearns to have you near Him, spending time, his pursuit isn’t about fulfilling a companionship need.

God pursues because He wants to save you. God pursues because He wants you to truly experience fullness of joy. He pursues because He genuinely desires that none of us is left to navigate the devastating ravages of sin.

Whether you’re jetting down the track like Usain Bolt or making a leisurely escape like OJ, God pursues because He doesn’t want that ol’ roaring lion to have you.

And He won’t stop until you say so.