The Glorious Chase

Like two lovers, playfully chasing through the breeze, fueled by passion and joy, are we and our Betrothed. It's a relationship-long chase until, "THE day," occurs in its non-virtual form, when all will be fulfilled and we will feast together at the marriage supper of the Lamb. That one day, when it comes, will be experienced in 20/20, non-3D, actual time and space reality. What we once tagged as passion will break forth into love's perfection, unlike anything we have ever experienced. Perfect, unblemished love will be ours to live out and bask in for eternity with no partial, unfulfilled, small portion, limited-capacity or "terms & conditions" clause. This amazing love space made way for by His amazing grace!


The question comes to my mind similar to the chicken and egg competition of who's first,
"Who is pursuing whom?" Are we in pursuit of Jesus, or, has He been pursuing us? I think of the Bible verse that says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8 NIV) I think of another, “See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you." (Exodus 23:20 NLT) Here's another one to add to our quiver of understanding, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NLT)


The whole thing actually even started before we as humanity messed it all up. He created us by His own thought, hands and breath giving us life. He has long pursued us through creation and beyond. Once we acted upon temptation and gave way to it, the plan was flawed and totally wrecked. God didn't want to leave it at that. He had to get us back….the loves of His heart! I am glad it all wasn't beyond repair. But, the cost would be the greatest ever.


Temptation is one big buffet of sensuous offerings, served up in, not only, main temptation courses, but multiplicities of side-covert and overt offerings. This pseudo-staged buffet comes with the perfect lighting, staging, sounds, look-appeal, all-in-all titillating and marketed to the beholder's exact "likes" and profile. Wow, when you think about it our adversary serves up some wicked customer service!


In life when we are offered perks or complimentary "stuff."  We only get to enjoy the stuff if we act on it or partake of it. I can offer you brownies all day long, but unless you reach out and take one and eat it, then it's still in my possession, not yours. It is of no benefit or pleasure to you. It's like looking at something in a bakery window. You can see, maybe smell the baked goods, but not enjoy them and taste them for yourself. That's all we have to do is to act upon what God sent Jesus to do. Jesus died in our place for all sin, then he rose up from death and retrieved keys to hell and death itself. He, now, sits at the right hand of God the Father in heaven interceding for you and for me. We just need to partake in what He prepared for us through an action of faith. It's a significant action, but simple to do. We just reach out and tell Him in a prayer, "Jesus, I believe what You did on the cross was for me. Forgive me of all my sins. I receive and confess You as my Savior and Lord," or some form of that prayer would work just fine.


As a music major in college, a song we sang was, "Somebody's Knockin' at Your Door." Lyrically, this song was referencing Jesus, but in life we know that there are other things and "somebodys" that knock, as well. So, word to the wise and discerning, know the knock and who it is that's knocking before you open the door. It's a crazy and scary world out there. Thank God for Jesus.

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