The Chase is On
For many “the chase” is the most exciting part. A lot of television shows and movies are about “the chase”. The chase of romantic relationship has made millions upon millions of dollars. From romantic big screen comedies to dating apps to self help books there are no shortages of advice on relationships. The same can be said of just about any avenue that might lead to a better life.
Green Bay Packers Head Coach and NFL Legend (the Super Bowl trophy is named in his honor) Vince Lombardi would tell his players “Gentlemen, we will chase perfection, and we will chase it relentlessly, knowing all the while we can never attain it. But along the way, we shall catch excellence.” It worked because his teams won 5 championships in 7 years. Their entire offense was built off of one play and that one play they were excellent at because they chased perfection everyday. “The chase” for them was repping the power sweep as many times as time would allow. I’m sure they could run in it in their sleep. We now know this as “muscle memory”. As a player I was taught to see myself being successful as I imagined our playbook the night before the game. The coach wanted us to play the entire game in our heads the night before. I passed on that same knowledge to my players.
In the New Living Translation of Psalm 23:6 it says “Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.” Think about the author of that text. Do you think the author knew what it was like to be pursued? David the shepherd had witnessed the pursuit of lion and a bear of his precious sheep. David felt the pressure of pursuit from a jealous Saul. David knew the unfortunate consequences of pursuing his desires despite God’s ordinances. But despite all those instances there was no force on the planet as strong as the pursuit of God’s goodness and unfailing love. In spite of his shortcomings because of God’s faithfulness he could live in the house of the LORD forever.
Of course there are other examples. Paul was chased all over the world by people wanting to stop the Gospel. They failed. The Jewish leaders sought a time to get rid of Jesus. Satan sought ways to defeat Jesus. They failed. Think of all the things that want to come between us and Jesus. All the reasons he could have decided upon that would keep him from his pursuit of us. What is your response to this pursuit? We can never do enough to make us worthy of his pursuit but our response is to believe, obey and to “sincerely seek him” (Hebrews 11:6 NLT). I prefer the word “diligently” or “earnestly” as the NIV says. What are you going to allow to separate your love from God? We’ve all allowed something to do that at some point or another. It’s removing those hurdles or at the least learning to maneuver them. Not only does God provide those maneuvers but then “rewards” those who trust him and endure to the end. After surviving those hurdles we then can pass on that knowledge to others. May we be found doing just that.
“indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:39 NLT
Travis