5.25.2009

Living a like a loved fugitive..

When I think of the word "fugitive" usually the first thing that comes to mind is Harrison Ford (and all the raw manhood that comes with that). If you've seen his movie, called..surprise.."The Fugitive" then chances are you kind of get my drift. Harrison Ford's character is literally being chased for just about the entire movie because the authorities believe he murdered his wife (at least I think it was his wife, I haven't seen it in awhile.) But you get the picture. Harrison Ford is running from the police, and while he's doing so.. he's trying to prove his innocence. Its probably one of the most intense movies you can see. Its a non-stop chase scene.

I was talking with my brother earlier, and he mentioned to me the book he was reading called "Crazy Love", and in this book, the author describes how God is relentless towards us. And that completely took me aback. I mean, we know God is all-loving, He died for us, but describing someone as relentless? For whatever reason that strikes home for me. Relentless to me describes Harrison Ford, as well as the Police chasing him in the movie. Ford will stop at nothing to prove his innocence, he relentlessly searches for evidence to clear his name. While the law enforcement is always, relentlessly, on his tail.

How does the idea that God relentlessly pursues you change your everyday thinking? He definitely does. Its a pursuit of you that is greater than any manhunt, or human love story. The relentless love of our God toward us has nothing to do with punishment, because I think a lot of times we view our God as pursuing us as soon as we step out of line, and then after He whips us back into shape, He leaves. Nothing could be further from the truth. God relentlessly pursues us because it was He who designed us! He knows whats best for us, and when we deviate from that course, He puts us back on track with loving grace and mercy. I seem to have a problem calling it "loving grace and mercy", because to be honest, grace and mercy hurt sometimes. When I sin, its not always pretty what God must put me through in order to get it through my thick skull that sin is the destroyer of my soul! But, the Bible says, "those who God loves, He disciplines!" So you see, at the root of our relentlessly loving God is a motive of pure love.

God is patient and relentless toward us, here and now. Seeking us. Protecting us. Guiding us. Correcting us. There is no depth that you can fall into, no mountain that you can climb, no ocean you can swim that will effectively release you from God's pursuit of you. (check Romans 8, amazing.) No matter where you are in your walk with Him. Whether you're running like Jonah, or walking like Enoch, God is pursuing you! He's relentless. Stopping at nothing.

So picture yourself as a fugitive, a sinner. On the road, seeking your innocence, you're escape. But when we look behind us at the one in relentless pursuit, we surprisingly see not our accuser, Satan, but our Savior, Jesus Christ.

What is your response to this relentless love?


In other news...
1. I'm home on summer vacation
2. Chick-fil-a shift tomorrow
3. I played a wicked game of Egyptian Rat Screw tonight
4. Band of Brothers is excellent
5. I'm playing golf this weekend
6. Go Magic