My utmost desire

Do you remember the last time you pursued something passionately? It is unimaginable how much energy, time, focus and what we are willing to do or sacrifice in order to have or reach the goal we so desire. Have we thought of the same passionate pursuit when it comes to God; His Presence, Word and worship in order to grow intimately with Him?

In all sincerity when we are asked what is our greatest desire in life without becoming over spiritual I believe some of our answers will be; become someone great or influential, possess something we greatly desire, a redo of life or moment in time, achieve a goal or see a vision become a reality and many others. This does not make any follower of Christ less spiritual just human in our walk with God. God wants us to be blessed and to live a comfortable life.

Remember that anything or anyone who becomes our greatest desire tend to get our most attention and take possession of our hearts. This choice makes God secondary, an addition or an option in our life. The pursuit of these desires as our ultimate in place of God often leads to idolatry, puts our relationship with Christ in danger or make a shipwreck of our faith.

Psalm 27:4

One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. [KJV]

The Psalmist is making a request to God from his heart which always reveal what we treasure most in life. It was not only a desire in his heart but he took daily steps to draw closer to God and abide in His Presence. This was the Psalmist lifelong quest and pursuit after God because of the experience of His power in His Presence. Our human nature comes with it's limitation and behooves upon us to seek God for His wisdom, direction and grace.

God does not automatically become our greatest desire which we all wished as followers of Christ. The reason being is it's a growing desire from our initial spiritual birth [salvation] as we continue to mature into becoming more like Christ. Our ultimate desire for God should be greater than any other desires in life but unfortunately not every follower of Christ is after such a pursuit.

I remember when I got saved over 25 plus years ago God was not my ultimate desire to pursue instantly, just grateful I was forgiven and have eternal life; heaven is my home after this life. My desires and interests in life began to change and realigned to the will of God as my relationship with Christ grew daily. Now my desire and prayer has become the same like the Psalmist, I love it and there is no turning back. I want to encourage you to embark on this journey of quest for God.

How then can we make and pursue God as our ultimate desire in life? Let try to examine ways we can make it our daily quest and goal.

Hunger and Thirst

The quest in pursuing God stems from our thirst and hunger for Him but it does not happen automatically. Our natural inclination is mostly focus on self and its desires than God. We all have a role to play to position ourselves by partnering with the Holy Spirit for that to happen. The level or depth of our thirst and hunger for God reveals our intimacy with Him. Physical hunger and thirst is part of our human system for important reasons and it's functioning is critical to our health and life.

Psalm 63:1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Spiritual hunger and thirst is very important in the life of a believer and when it is lacking one needs to resolve it quickly. It is like a check engine light that comes on a car's dashboard telling us that our relationship with God needs immediate attention.

This hunger and thirst originate from God and we cannot create it ourselves. We need to ask the Holy Spirit living inside us to help create and renew this hunger and thirst for God; His Word, prayer and righteousness in our life. This hunger and thirst always draws us back to His Presence and keeps us there.

Earnestly Seeking

Have you wonder why some believers experience God more or have a deeper connection in their relationship with Him than others? The answer is simply the heart, the whole heart. God is not missing that we have to search to find but has given us the free will to choose to draw closer to Him. God is available and can be experienced by all who turn to or seek Him with all their heart including those who are not His children yet.

Jeremiah 29:13 NIV You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

God is not interested in lip service or half-heartedness when it comes to seeking and serving Him. Whenever the whole heart is involved, passion is activated because great value is seen in the object of our affection. In life we are far more willing to do anything in our power to take hold of what we are passionate about. Can we say sincerely that we passionate about God in this way?

God spoke to the Prophet to tell His people that they need to be sincere about seeking Him if they want to experience His fullness in their lives. God sees our heart, acting or pretense does not result in intimacy with Him only going through the emotions. Seeking Him wholeheartedly means without reservation, all in, rain or shine, convenient or not, putting Him first and His will above all. Although it is challenging or a struggle sometimes we don't have to give up because there is no alternative way to grow deeper in our relationship with God. Let us stay the course to seek Him wholeheartedly and our encounter with Him will not only transform our lives but lead others seek Him as well.

New heart and spirit

When we continuously abide in His Presence the Spirit of the Lord begins to change our heart and renew our spirit. This daily transformation enable us treasure His Presence and make pursuing God our a lifelong quest.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 NIV I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

If we truly want to experience God's fullness in our lives then we must seek Him with all our heart. Seeking and making His Presence our priority or ultimate desire does not take us from what is important in our lives but rather allows God to lead, guide and support us daily in all things. The Prophet is declaring to God's people about the work He will be doing in their hearts to make them more receptive to His decrees and laws. Oh! Lord God take out of our hearts anything that makes us rebellious to your commands and doubt your promises. Is God and His Law your greatest passion? If not, ask the Lord to create in you a new heart and spirit so that you can seek Him more passionately and delight in His truth. The heart that earnestly and persistently seeks God in prayer eventually become transformed, passionate and captured by His love.

Let's Pray

Lord Jesus we desire and long to make you our ultimate desire in life but we cannot by our own ability. Stir in us a fresh thirst and hunger for you, empower us to seek you with all our heart because that is the only way we can fully experience you. Give us a new heart and renew the right spirit in us so that we can obey your commands, follow your leading and bear fruits to the glory of your Name. Jesus help us to make you our utmost desire in life, in your Name we pray, Amen.

God Bless you.