40 Days Of Prayer - Day 38

The Pursuit

Scripture

1 Timothy 6:11-12
“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

Devotion

Paul, the author of 1 Timothy, has sent an entire letter imparting wisdom and instruction for Timothy, a young man beginning his ministry. Yet at the tail end of this first letter, after all the explanation, instruction and advice, Paul shifts gears and chooses to bestow to Timothy a rallying charge.

In many ways, it’s no different than great speeches from movies like Remember the Titans or Gladiator. Designed to encourage, challenge and bring into laser focus the most important things to remember. For Timothy, and by extension us as Christ-followers, it’s all about that word pursue.

The word pursue denotes an urgency, an intentional engagement with the object of that focus. For Timmy and for us, there is a charge to pursue Christ with intentional engagement and urgency.

 Following Christ is not a spectator sport; it’s not a country club where we all get comfy chairs and premium parking. It’s about a life of actively and intentionally getting to know, learning to love and practically serving Jesus. It’s an incredible journey, but one that requires intentional participation.
 
So what is your next step in pursuing Jesus? Maybe it’s about getting connected with your pastor and a life group. Perhaps its time to test drive a ministry. Or perhaps its time to evaluate the many ministries you serve in and see if its time to move out of some so you can focus more energy on one or two.

Whatever your next step is, I encourage you to take it! God is ready and waiting on you, so really what’s stopping you!

Prayer

“Dear Father, thank you that you have made a way for us to have a relationship with you. Help us not to become comfortable or complacent but too instead take that next step in pursuing you.”

Written by Matt Keith