God Pursues Us

When I moved away, I was worried about my youth group kids. I’d spent the last three years investing in them, sharing life with them, and sharing the truth about Jesus with them. But now who was going to be there for them? What was going to happen to them? Who was going to keep pursuing them?

A friend of mine recently offered me some life-changing advice: “We don’t have to be the whole bracelet.” She explained how ministry is like a bracelet. A bracelet that God himself is piecing together. We are only one chain-length in someone’s life.

God’s pursuit of someone does not begin or end with us. How relieving! In 1 Corinthians 3:6, Paul describes his ministry this way: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.”

This truth changes everything. It means that salvation is not up to us. That conversion is not up to us. That measurable accomplishments are not the most important thing. Rather, we are simply to be faithful and obedient with the time given to us.

I still grieve the fact that I cannot continue to walk with my youth group kids through life, discipling and pursuing them. But I take comfort in the fact that it is the Lord who pursues his sheep and looks after them.

God pursued those kids through people before me, and he will continue to pursue them through the people that come after me. God does not give up on his pursuit of us. Look to the cross for proof!

And friend, not only does he not give up his pursuit for those you love, he also does not give up his pursuit of you.

Lord, thank you that I am not you. Thank you for the way you pursue my loved ones and my own heart. I give you the specific people on my mind today, and look forward to seeing you continue the chain of pursuit you allowed me to be part of in their life. I trust you.

Song of encouragement: Remind yourself that God pursues his sheep, and his grace always finds us through listening to the song “Your Grace Finds Me”