A.W. Tozer beautifully described a profound truth when he wrote, “To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul’s paradox of love.” This mysterious and exhilarating paradox lies at the heart of the Christian life. It speaks to the tension between contentment and longing, between satisfaction in God and the unquenchable desire for more of Him.
At first glance, the paradox seems contradictory. How can we have found God—beholding His glory, experiencing His love, and walking in His presence—yet feel a yearning to seek Him further? But this is the nature of the infinite God. He is so vast, so boundless, that even eternity will not exhaust the depths of His being.
The Satisfaction of Finding Him
When we first encounter God, our souls are filled with a peace and joy we never thought possible. We realize that He alone satisfies the deepest longings of our hearts. Every restless search for meaning and fulfillment finds its resolution in the love of God. This is the profound contentment of the believer—to know that in Christ, we are fully known, fully loved, and fully secure.
“O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good; How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him.” (Psalm 34:8 AMP)
This is the first step in the paradox: to know that in Him, we lack nothing. We are complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10), and we rejoice in the abundance of His provision for our souls.
The Hunger for More
Yet, as we taste God’s goodness, an unexplainable hunger begins to stir within us—a longing for more of Him. This is not dissatisfaction; it is the recognition that the more we experience God, the more we realize there is to know, love, and worship. Our hearts, awakened to His glory, are drawn deeper into the pursuit of His presence.
David expressed this paradox beautifully: “As the deer pants [longingly] for the water brooks, so my soul pants [longingly] for You, O God. My soul [my life, my inner self] thirsts for God, for the living God. When will I come and see the face of God?” (Psalm 42:1–2 AMP)
This longing is not a reflection of emptiness but of love. As lovers desire to know each other more deeply, our love for God compels us to seek Him more intimately.
The Eternal Pursuit
The paradox reaches its fullness when we realize that the pursuit of God is eternal. Even in heaven, when we stand in His presence, we will not cease to seek Him. We will see Him more clearly than ever, yet His infinite nature continually invites us into deeper awe and worship.
Paul writes, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and decisions and how unfathomable and inscrutable are His ways!” (Romans 11:33 AMP). This unsearchable depth ensures that our relationship with God will never grow stale or routine. There will always be more of His beauty to behold, more of His love to experience, and more of His glory to reflect.
The Call to Press In
In this life, the soul’s paradox calls us to press into God daily. We must never settle for a surface-level faith or a shallow understanding of Him. The satisfaction we find in Him is the very thing that fuels our desire for more. Like the Apostle Paul, we say:
“[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely]…” (Philippians 3:10 AMP)
This pursuit requires intentionality. It is a daily choice to seek His face, to dwell in His Word, and to commune with Him in prayer. It means pushing past distractions, laying down idols, and surrendering fully to His Spirit.
Living the Paradox
The soul’s great paradox transforms how we live. It keeps us humble, for we recognize that we have only scratched the surface no matter how much we know of God. It keeps us hungry, for deeper intimacy is always possible. And it keeps us hopeful, for we are assured that the God we seek is faithful to reveal Himself to those who earnestly pursue Him.
“But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6 AMP)
The Invitation
This paradox is not a burden but a blessing. It is the evidence of a living relationship with the infinite God. To have found Him and still to pursue Him is the hallmark of a heart that truly loves Him. The question is: will we embrace the paradox? Will we allow the satisfaction of His presence to stir within us an unrelenting desire for more of Him?
Let us pray:
Father, we thank You for the mystery of knowing You. You have given us Yourself, yet You call us to seek You continually. Teach us to embrace this paradox, finding joy in Your presence and pressing into deeper intimacy with You each day. Stir within us an unquenchable hunger for more of You, that we may reflect Your glory and know the fullness of Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
