As I wrote this title, I can't believe we're already in 2015, and more so, almost done with January.
Last week as I was flying to Guatemala, I filled my phone up with podcasts to last the 18 hour travel day, and the first one I listened to that day was from Jeff and Alyssa Bethke. It's a new one and this particular day they were talking about the new year and goal setting. Everyone's favorite, right?
So Alyssa went on to share about how every year she finds a word to capitalize on and make it her everything, a focus, for that year. For example, this year it was JOY. So many verses talk about rejoicing and we know it is a part of the Christian's character.
I've normally picked out a verse for the year, not that I search my Bible January 1st, but as the days go on I feel like God places something on my heart. So when I heard this idea about a word I wondered if I could find something like that for me.
. . .
In my 2014 end of the year post for I talked about how I don't want this year to look like the last or the one that follows. I want each year to be better than the last. And the only thing that I could think of for this is chasing. Maybe it was influenced by a favorite Bethel Music song, but who can hold that against me? ;)
chase1
/tʃeɪs/verb
gerund or present participle: chasing
1) to follow, rapidly in order to catch or overtake, pursue
2) to seek the favor or company of persistently
I have 1 year left (down to the week) here in Buenos Aires, and I want every day to be spent chasing the only One who matters. Ministry comes second to my time with the Father, because He's the one from whom all blessings flow, afterall. When I see the synonyms or definitions for chasing, I realize that it's active, a present tense thing we do. It's not something for us to sit by and watch happen. We are going after something, whether it's Christ or not.
I made a goal for myself, and feel free to come back and check me on this, but I looked up all Scriptures with seek, pursue, and follow in it and there was a good variety from both Old and New Testament. We are told to chase peace, love, JESUS. And do it whole-heartedly.
When I think about how He pursued me in my sin, and continues to chase me when I'm far from Him, I'm overwhelmed by his grace. How can it not evoke a response of anything less than a life of worship to my Savior.
