Daily Devotional

If you google “pursue” you will get the following definition, “follow (someone or something) in order to catch or attack them.” That certainly has a negative connotation to it. A secondary definition states, “to continue or proceed along (a path or route)”. I think that’s a much more fitting definition for how a follower of Jesus is to “pursue” righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness. 

When I think of the word “pursue” I can’t help but think of my wife Megan and when we first met as teenagers. I met my wife at youth group and was immediately blown away. Not only did I think she was gorgeous, but she was also smart, funny, and a joy to be around. I was instantly smitten, enamored, twitter-pated, whatever you want to call it, I was hooked. The problem is, while I might be a romantic, I’m not always the cleverest in the moment. After meeting Megan, I left from youth group that night figuring I’d never see her again. She had shown up out of seemingly nowhere, and I resigned myself to the realization that I would never see her again.
Luckily, a couple weeks later my phone rang and who was on the other line? Megan! Given a second chance to connect to this girl, I was not as foolish as the first time around. I got her phone number, her email address, her instant messaging screen name (this was the early 2000’s after all). Now that I had access, I was going to pursue Megan and not stop. Access allowed my pursuit to be possible.

We can look at a list given here in 1 Timothy, or anywhere else in the Bible and wonder how our pursuit of God is possible. We know we are fallen; we know we fall short; we know we can’t measure up. BUT the amazing thing is that we have been access through Jesus Christ. We are all called to pursue righteousness and this pursuit is possible!

On the 19^th of this month my wife and I celebrated 16 years of marriage. Although my pursuit of my wife began nearly 20 years ago, I’d be in big trouble if I ever thought it had concluded. In an even greater sense, no matter how long ago our pursuit of God began, we better think twice before ever thinking we have arrived. Our pursuit never ends. It is continual, it is daily, and it is worth every effort. We have been given access through Jesus Christ and we should delight in the pursuit.

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.