We Are All Followers
Whatever we find our delight in
and believe will make up happy,
we’ll pursue and follow.
We’re all following something or someone. We follow this person on Pinterest or that person on Twitter. We spend time finding out what they like and think.
We follow what our heart desires. We follow what we are devoted to. We chase what we believe will satisfy our deepest needs.
In fact, we’re always pursuing something. It might be a self-image, respect, admiration or power. For others it’s wealth, health, education or fame. Others only want power or empowerment. Others relaxation, entertainment or escape.
Are you a thirsty soul? What are you pursuing?
The Psalmist, David, was a thirsty soul. But instead of pursuing the temporal, he pursued the Eternal God. His soul thirsted for God. (Psalm 63:1)
He followed hard after God. (Psalm 63:8)
Not just a passive follow. A hard follow. David was scared he might miss something. He wanted to make sure he was close with God, so he’d not miss out on communion and fellowship. He didn’t want to allow any distance between him and the One his soul loved. David knew that he’d only be satisfied by God, and God alone.
Roy Hession in We Would See Jesus explains how we were created to adore God:
“The story of man began when God, who is complete in Himself and therefore could have no needs, deliberately chose, it would seem, to be incomplete without creatures of His own creating. “Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created” (Rev. 4:11). It was for this purpose and no other – that of existing for the pleasure of God – that man was brought into being. He was intended to be the delight of God and the object of His affection. On man’s side, the basis of that original relationship was that it was completely God-centred. Man knew that he had only been created to delight God, and his only concern was to respond to the Divine affection, to live for Him, and to do His will. It was his joy continually to submit his will and desires to those of his Creator, and in nothing to be independent of Him. As he thus lived in submission to God, every need in man’s nature was satisfied by God.”
Until we return again to our original intent, we’ll never be satisfied.
A woman who is not satisfied in Christ alone will never be satisfied with anything else either.
What do you “follow hard” after?
What are you spending your time, money, talents, and energy pursuing? Are you looking for fulfillment in the perfect marital status, a certain style home, a particular friendship, a dream job, a hobby, your ministry, children, lifestyle choices, and even religiosity?
If you didn’t answer “The One True God” to the above question, then you’re chasing small-g gods who can never satisfy, and will always leave you disappointed and unfulfilled. This is why so many leave the church. They thought God would be a vehicle to bring them to their desired end, their small g-god. But our chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. God’s not accustomed to giving us trifles to adore when He alone is worthy of praise and adoration. In fact, in His goodness, He’ll strip any idols out of our hands no matter how painful. He knows what’s best for us and won’t let His children settle for scraps when there is a good, holy and loving God to be had.
Let’s pray for souls that thirst, first and foremost, for God alone. Let’s put away worthless things, empty thoughts, vain desires, selfish motives and sinful appetites that hinder us from seeking the True God who alone satisfies.