One of my favorite things to do is interact with you guys. Whether you’re a devoted magazine reader, fabulous magazine writer, internet surfer, or one of my Beloved Friends from church, I love hearing your thoughts about the blog.
Even more so, I love hearing about posts that you want to read. Answers you need, questions you have, topics you deal with. I think I’ve been called to bring practicality to the world of kids “growing up Christian.” We’re told WHAT to do, but not HOW to do it and, like a tiny kid in Walmart, we’re surrounded by SO MUCH STUFF we take it for granted and don’t know how to navigate.
One of our writers, Lisa, wrote me the other day and said this:
My younger sister saw me hand lettering a quote of yours* saying, “Chase after God like your life depends on it” (from the mag) and she wanted me to ask you what you mean by it and how one would go about it. And I said I’d ask you to write a post on it on OBO – which I am, now, but it’s totally up to you and if you have the time XD
*this quote was from our Purpose issue
One thing that bugs me is really feel-y, generic Christian catchphrases. I’m afraid that when I said that “chase after God” thing, it could easily become one of those meaningless dittys you just slap on a pillow at Hobby Lobby and sell for fifteen bucks.
chase God like your life depends on it . . . SO WHAT??
WHAT IT IS
So, what does it mean to chase after God like your life depends on it? Chasing after God only happens when you have a heart full of surrender. It’s what we’re supposed to be doing anyway:
- enjoying life while
- doing everything considering how, FIRSTLY,
- what we’re doing and the manner in which we’re doing it can either bring God glory or throw mud on His beautiful name;
- and, SECONDLY, always considering which actions will have eternal reward and repercussions.
- it’s THIRDLY dreaming big dreams inspired by His ultimate purpose for us but
- being willing to give up those dreams (SACRIFICE) in order to better
- follow in complete and utter faith in the desert times of life.
I heard sermons along this line for the majority of my life but, unfortunately, I’m one of those people who must learn from experience. I have to be the person literally sitting in the closet, sobbing, because I feel lost and overwhelmed. Chasing after God couldn’t happen without a dream dying. And I’m totally okay with that now.
APPLICATIONS
Chasing God is not just wearing a “hello, my name is Christian” name tag. Words are just words.
Chasing God is choosing to do devotions over spending extra time with friends (or even studying for a quiz). Chasing God is
- offering up the secrets you hide behind closed doors: the things you struggle with daily, like the girl in the mirror or the high expectations your parents have for your academics;
- memorizing passages to fight temptation;
- saying hi to the awkward person in the corner with the really lame t-shirt; and
- smiling even when you don’t feel like it.
I encourage you to buy a book from Goodwill and fill the margins with everyday miracles God has done for you. Verses He shares with you, friends He brings your way. You’ll be AMAZED at what a POWERFUL influence on your life He is. *this will make you want to chase God*
Also, tape a large piece of paper up to the wall (construction paper, paper from that old drawing pad you have that you never got around to using) and start a gratitude list. You’ll be equally amazed at how much God has given you.*this will make you want to chase God*
Turn your thoughts around. When you think this idea is going to fail or when you don’t see results, open up your mind to biblical thinking. *this will make you want to chase God*
I’m gonna be honest with y’all: when I was playing soccer, I was able to eat whatever I wanted to. I scoffed at people who ate salad or talked about calories. However, I’ve had to deal with my own battle with the girl in the mirror.
This battle can drag me down daily. BUT. Have I stopped to consider that, because of this, I can relate to *way more girls*? In fact, my mom has to be on a special diet because of her health and we get to be accountability partners. The other day, I wanted to make this weirdo chia seed and rolled oats thing and I asked her if she could buy any of that and she said she already had it for health reasons. We sometimes have to say no to pizza nights . . . but we get to commiserate over our salads.
CHASING
GOD
IS
INTENTIONAL.
It definitely doesn’t just happen. Too often, we just let life happen. DON’T.
Chase after God like your life depends on it. Because, yeah! It does.
