Picture the Great Wall of China. It resembles the type of wall that would surround an ancient city. Imagine a stone tower on the wall, with an opening for a watchman to survey the landscape below. It is a dark, starless night, and a vigilant watchman trains his eye on the terrain below, looking for movement that would indicate the aggressive threat of an enemy.

The stress of the watchman's nighttime vigilance begins to take its toll, and he eagerly waits for the slight yellowish-orange tint in the east that precedes the morning sunrise. As late night gives ways to early morning, he longs for the rays of the sun that will illuminate the potentially treacherous nighttime landscape.

"I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope. My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning; Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning." (Psalm 130:5-6)

Is our passion for our Father as urgent as that of a night watchman looking for the morning? Must we find Him in His word and through prayer at all costs, or is our pursuit leisurely and passive? "you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul." (Deuteronomy 4:29)

The siren call of life activities easily diminishes passionate pursuit of our Father through His word and prayer. And yet, the more time we yield to Him, the more the urgency of seeking Him grows.

May a passion be kindled in our hearts today for the God who has promised us future immortality, and a life of abundance and fulfillment with Him on a renewed earth. May future kingdom life break through today as we personally and deeply experience relationship with our Father through His Son.

Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011