Following Hard After God
In his book When
God Breaks Your Heart (Stay tuned for a free book giveaway in a few weeks.
It’s that good!), Ed Underwood asks a compelling question:
What
is one change you can make today that will turn your life hard toward God?
I’d love for you to share yours as well!
I’m on a self-chosen “sabbatical” right now as I’m in between jobs. My prayer life has been nominal lately. So I’ve been forcing myself (and something that’s what it is . . . I hate that!) to pray more diligently – longer and more often and truly seeking His face, not just running through a list of needs. Forcing myself is turning into eagerly looking forward to these times. God’s Word says if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). In following hard after God, we’ll find He’s always been there. A more diligent prayer life has been my “change” to follow harder after Him. What will yours be?
ReplyDeleteYou sold me already on the book (I just ordered it on Kindle).
ReplyDeleteA change I have been implementing recently is intentionally pursuing my awareness of God's continual, loving, all-pervasive presence with me even when He seems quiet. Reading and meditating on the Psalms, which covers the entire gamut of emotions and life experiences, is helpful here, along with realizing that Christ Himself is a High Priest who has also experienced everything (and infinitely more!) than I will ever face. He knows and understands and has promised to never leave or forsake me! Whether I feel His presence or not, He is always with me. The "change" is coming to consciously acknowledge that Presence more and more and rest in it.
Thank you so much for this wonderful reminder, Violet! His presence is there even when He's quiet. Remembering this truth is definitely a moment-by-moment active pursuit and a great way to "follow hard after God." Thank you!!
DeleteI'm entering into regular date times with my husband, Tim, of 35 years. We're regularly talking about how the Holy Spirit is shifting our marriage to one of positivity and strength. We're taking to the next level Isaiah 43:18 "Forget the former things. Do not dwell on the past. See, it's doing a new thing. Now it springs up, do you not perceive it?"
ReplyDeleteReminds me of Philippians 3:13,14 - forgetting the things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I don't think the Lord ever wants us to stay where we are at in our relationship with Him - but always following hard after Him and growing. Thanks Lynn! Thanks for sharing about you and Tim too. That's so great how the Lord is directing in your marriage right now.
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