Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8

Recently, my husband, Tim, was telling me about a car chase he watched on TV. A woman driving close to 100 miles per hour on a California highway was running from the police in a stolen vehicle. It was wild, he said, the police were focused on her and with her the entire way... I was on the edge of my seat, watching the whole time to see what would happen next. This scenario made me think, God never stops chasing us-pursuing us! He created us for relationship and intimacy. And just as Tim watched that car chase from the edge of his seat, God wants us to feel excited and on edge about Him. But most of us don’t even realize He’s pursuing intimacy with us. Or if we do, we may be afraid of it. Many women live with this paradox-desiring intimacy with God but not sure how to be in such a relationship. Busyness, too much work, and the inability to unplug from our electronic society often get in the way and suffocate the burning flame in our hearts. We may believe Jesus for salvation, but we often fail to believe He can meet the needs of our everyday lives. When we don’t trust, we don’t experience intimacy. Only when you close this gap of unbelief and realize that without Him you can do nothing (John 15:5) do you open the door to true intimacy and begin a love affair with the lover of your soul. Only then will the fire in your heart be glowing anew. Make a response to God. Draw closer to Him. Your pursuer is waiting.

Prayer

O Lord, pursuer of my soul, my heart desires to have a close relationship with you. Draw me near to you. Embrace me with your love. Let my faith increase that I may know you and love you better. Amen.

• Bible Readings for the Week Ahead:
• Monday: Deut. 7:9
• Tuesday: Deut. 11:13-15
• Wednesday: Zeph. 3:17
• Thursday: I Cor. 13:4-7
• Friday: John 14:15, 21
• Saturday: 2 Chron. 16:9
• Sunday: Psalm 116:1