Passionate Pursuit
"So I got up, went out and roved the city, hunting through streets and down alleys. I wanted my lover in the worst way! I looked high and low, and didn't find him. And then the night watchmen found me as they patrolled the darkened city. 'Have you seen my dear lost love?' I asked. No sooner had I left them than I found Him, found my dear lost love. I threw my arms around Him and held Him tight, wouldn't let Him go until I had Him home again, safe at home beside the fire." Song of Songs 3:2-4, The Message.
There is always a passionate pursuit in our relationship with Jesus. It begins with Jesus passionately wooing our hearts. It continues by our daily searching and seeking for who He is constantly romancing. Which is our ❤️ The word picture King Solomon portrays in this passage depicts the wholehearted devotion that must accompany authentic relationship with Jesus. Nothing less will do.
The biggest mistake of my life (the one that made a place for all others) was falling away from this kind of first-love devotional desire for Jesus. It was insidious and happened slowly over a period of years. I replaced my love affair with Jesus with a professional relationship with Him. I focused on head knowledge instead of heart relationship with Him. The most horrific part; when I became truthful in my inner parts, I had to face that I did this willfully. I alone was responsible for the cooling condition of my heart!
Thus, I thank God for the shaking in my heart, no matter the cost. This shaking has kindled a fresh love affair with Jesus, Papa, and Holy Spirit. Following are some of my part in this passionate relationship:
• I had to embrace what He has done for me, trusting that this was the very best I could ever do for Him.
• I had to engage in the kind of pursuit Solomon painted in this scripture.
• I had to get up and search for Him with the same hot, unrelenting pursuit. I had to respond to His desire for me.
• I had to leave all else for the sake of a focused love affair.
• I had to submit to corrective discipline to keep on this narrow heart path.
• I had to get Him home in my heart again.
“I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” And now, I will not let go! I can only hope in my deepest heart the same for you. Hold on tight!
In the grip of Passionate love, Ron Ross
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