Pastor Angela's Message - March 2015

“Pursue Love”

Pursue: verb a.to follow and try to catch or capture, for usually a long distance or time; b.to be involved in; c.to try to get or do something over a long period of time

I Corinthians 14:1a tells us to “Pursue Love”. According to the dictionary if we are to pursue something it is going after it over a long extended time.  It is being involved in whatever we are pursuing. 

In the chapter before these words Love is defined as being patient, kind; not jealous, it is not proud, nor self-seeking or rude, it is not easily  angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth.  Love always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. While these are familiar words to most of us, how much time do we spend pursuing these characteristics?  

 

What do you pursue in life?  What do you go after more than anything else?  Where is most of your time and energy spent?  Is it in your schooling and getting great grades?  Is it in your work, being on top in the workplace?  Is most of your time and energy spent in your children and their activities?  Do you place your spouse above all else?  Do you spend your energy online or in front of the TV?   Or do you Pursue Love?

 

If we are honest, most of us don’t pursue Love.  Most of us pursue a plethora of other activities but not love.  How our Savior’s heart must break when we waste so much time and energy on the fleeting things of this world.  In I John 4:8 says, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”  God = love Are you pursuing God as passionately as you pursue other events in this life? A little later in I John 4 it states, that real love is not that we love God but that he loved us by giving His life for us.  Because of this amazing love we are called to love one another the same way. 

I challenge you to Pursue Love today.  Pursue God.  Make Him your passion in life.  Make him what you are involved in in life.  As we give God our energies rather than the things the world throws at us we will be amazed.

Natalie Grant sings the song, Perfect People.  The words to this beautiful song say:

“There’s no such thing as perfect people

There’s no such thing as a perfect life

So come as you are, broken and scared

Lift up your heart and be amazed                                                                 

And be changed by a perfect God

Suddenly it’s like a weight has been lifted

When you hear the words you are Loved. . .                                    

So look up and see love

Let grace be enough”

Pursue Love today.  Stop pursing the ways of the world.  Stop pursuing perfection.  Let the weight be lifted.  Pursue Him alone.

Pastor Angela