Cravings. We mostly have them for food - chocolate, ice cream (chocolate ice cream?), steak, seafood. Cravings are more than just a mild desire or appetite; we are obsessed with finding what we desire. Call it passionate pursuit.
Men are especially familiar with passionate pursuit. Youthful pursuit of the young woman we've determined we cannot live without is our sole obsession. Whatever it takes to win her heart is all that matters.
Spiritual passionate pursuit, for many, sounds like an oxymoron. And yet this phrase well describes David's relationship with our Creator Father.
"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." (Psalm 63:1)
Such words may sound strange to us; even somewhat erotic. David knew much about what someone has called, the sacred romance. Unbridled passion for his God and Father was key priority.
Spiritual passion is clearly evident in the life of Jesus our Lord. This statement is very telling: "But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray." (Luke 5:16). Jesus nurtured spiritual passion through frequent time alone with the Father.
Passionate pursuit of Jesus is prerequisite to passionate pursuit of our Father. As Jesus declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." (John 14:6). We cannot sidestep the Mediator at the right hand of the Father in our pursuit; it is only through Him that we approach the throne.
Jesus Himself issued the sternest of warnings to a band of followers who had lost their spiritual passion: "I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place -unless you repent." (Revelation 2:3-4).
They had left their first love. Spiritual passion had waned, and a spiritual separation had occurred. Divorce was inevitable unless they remembered and returned. A passionate appeal is made to return to spiritual passion.
Assumptions can easily be erroneous, but I believe I can safely make this one: each of us are likely not as spiritually passionate as we could be. We may not have left our first love, but we're tempted to have an affair with something we love in the world. Or maybe we are cheating on our first love and thinking we can have it both ways. Either way, the need is real to remember and repent.
A careful reread David's passionate declaration in Psalm 63:1 is a great way to rekindle the passion. Perhaps the fire has burned down to embers that are barely glowing. At least they can be fanned into flame.
Return today to the sacred romance. Remember and repent, while there is opportunity.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
Men are especially familiar with passionate pursuit. Youthful pursuit of the young woman we've determined we cannot live without is our sole obsession. Whatever it takes to win her heart is all that matters.
Spiritual passionate pursuit, for many, sounds like an oxymoron. And yet this phrase well describes David's relationship with our Creator Father.
"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." (Psalm 63:1)
Such words may sound strange to us; even somewhat erotic. David knew much about what someone has called, the sacred romance. Unbridled passion for his God and Father was key priority.
Spiritual passion is clearly evident in the life of Jesus our Lord. This statement is very telling: "But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray." (Luke 5:16). Jesus nurtured spiritual passion through frequent time alone with the Father.
Passionate pursuit of Jesus is prerequisite to passionate pursuit of our Father. As Jesus declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." (John 14:6). We cannot sidestep the Mediator at the right hand of the Father in our pursuit; it is only through Him that we approach the throne.
Jesus Himself issued the sternest of warnings to a band of followers who had lost their spiritual passion: "I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place -unless you repent." (Revelation 2:3-4).
They had left their first love. Spiritual passion had waned, and a spiritual separation had occurred. Divorce was inevitable unless they remembered and returned. A passionate appeal is made to return to spiritual passion.
Assumptions can easily be erroneous, but I believe I can safely make this one: each of us are likely not as spiritually passionate as we could be. We may not have left our first love, but we're tempted to have an affair with something we love in the world. Or maybe we are cheating on our first love and thinking we can have it both ways. Either way, the need is real to remember and repent.
A careful reread David's passionate declaration in Psalm 63:1 is a great way to rekindle the passion. Perhaps the fire has burned down to embers that are barely glowing. At least they can be fanned into flame.
Return today to the sacred romance. Remember and repent, while there is opportunity.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
posted by steve @ 9:15 AM
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