Wholehearted Effort

We were at the lake a few days ago, and my kids were building sand castles… one of their very favorite things to do.

All of a sudden, a butterfly flew right in front of my 8 year old.  Sam stopped building and started to chase after it.  He followed the butterfly this way and that way… zigzagging between sun worshipers and games of football.  Sam was completely on task and focused.

I watched in awe as my sweet son pursued this butterfly with pure abandonment.

He didn’t care what anyone thought.  He didn’t care that it was difficult.  He didn’t care that it was hot and he was sweaty.  He didn’t mind his winding path. He didn’t give a second thought to leaving his passion of sand art behind.  His only desire was to catch the butterfly and he gave his wholehearted effort.

Our pursuit of God should look the same.  Jeremiah 29:13 says “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

What is it that keeps you from chasing after God… wholeheartedly?

• Do you seek Him when it’s convenient and fits into your schedule?
• Do you seek His guidance in some areas of your life, but not in other ones?
• Are you waiting for the right set of conditions to seek Him?
• Do you struggle to think He’d really help… you?
• Are you ashamed or feel guilty?
• Do you think you’d be bothering Him?

Did you answer “yes” to any of those?  If I was closer I might smack you upside the head!  😉

Hear this!  If you are a Christ-follower… if you believe that Jesus is the Son of God… than your worldly issues and concerns are dead to you!  Because of Christ’s victory on the cross, you have victory over the world.

You = 100.  World = 0.

How can I say that with authority?  Because we’re told in 1 John 5:1-5, that because we know who Christ is we have overcome the world.  Look it up yourself and read it…

Your job is to pursue a relationship with God… wholeheartedly.

• Don’t worry about obstacles in our path.  Seek Him.
• Stop worrying what others might think.  Seek Him.
• Don’t expect conditions to be perfect.  Seek Him.

If you want to know God better… then seek Him with ALL your heart. He promises you will find Him.  If you have something that is keeping you from doing that very thing… soak in the truth that Christ has overcome it.

Sam never caught that butterfly, by the way.  I called him back to where I could see him as he was getting further and further away from my momma-radar.  I wonder how long he would have pursued his heart’s desire had I not called him back.

Friends, keep pursuing God.  Let nothing or no one call you back…