Heartbeat for Relationship

Contributed by:

Becky Johnson

Women's:Life Director

Recently, I ran across this prayer of Father Simon Tugwell:

“So long as we imagine that it is we who have to look for God, we must often lose heart. But it is the other way around. He is looking for us. And so we can afford to recognize that very often we are not looking for God: far from it, we are in full flight from him, in high rebellion against him. And he knows that and has taken it into account. He has followed us into our own darkness; there where we thought finally to escape him, we run straight into his arms. So we do not have to erect a false piety for ourselves, to give us the hope of salvation. Our hope is in his determination to save us, and he will not give in.”

It reminds me of the Big Idea from this past week’s sermon, “God’s rules demonstrate His heartbeat for relationship with us.” (Exodus 20:2). In the message, we saw how, in giving the Israelites these rules commonly known as The Ten Commandments, God showed his love and pursuit of them.

In the busyness, chaos and heartbreak of this world, it’s easy to forget that God desires, and has demonstrated, His love for people. John 3:16 says He gave His only Son so that we could be saved and have eternal life with Him…an incredible demonstration of His love! So often, I need a fresh awareness of how He has pursued me, with great love, to establish this relationship. He has for you as well.

When we are distant, He pursues.

When we are wrong, He pursues.

When we have failed, He pursues.

When we ignore Him, He pursues.

When we are afraid, He pursues.

When we are busy, He pursues.

When we are distracted, He pursues.

When we are weary and worn out, He pursues.

Quietly, He pursues…He is determined…and He will not give in.

Take a moment…

·         Look at The Ten Commandments and reflect on how these rules bring freedom rather than restriction to your life.

·         Reflect on your story. How has God pursued you and shown love to you?

·         Have you established a relationship with God? If so, thank Him for his pursuit of you? If not, think about what might be holding you back and ask Him to show you how He is pursuing and loving you.