“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13 (AMP). The pursuit of God this Christmas can bring new meaning to the holiday season.
As December 18th dawns, the nearness of Christmas reminds us of a profound truth: God has pursued us. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world not as a distant observer but as Emmanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23 AMP). Now, the call rests on us to pursue Him in return. This pursuit is the great journey of the believer’s heart—to seek the One who first sought us.
A God Who Draws Near
The pursuit of God begins with this eternal truth: He came to us first. The Gospel of John declares, “And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14 AMP).
Here, John speaks with awe of the God who did not leave us to grope in darkness but entered it Himself to bring us light. The incarnation is the ultimate act of divine pursuit, where the Creator stepped into creation to restore what was lost.
A.W. Tozer captures this beautifully: “The voice of God is a friendly voice. No one need fear to listen to it unless he has already made up his mind to resist it.” God’s pursuit of us is not harsh or demanding but tender and loving, a call to return to Him.
The Call to Seek Him
While God initiates the pursuit, Scripture repeatedly calls us to respond. “Draw near to God [with a contrite heart] and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8 AMP). This mutual pursuit reflects the intimate relationship God desires with His people. Tozer describes this paradox, writing, “To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul’s paradox of love.”
1. Seeking His Presence
David cried out, “As the deer pants [longingly] for the water brooks, so my soul pants [longingly] for You, O God” (Psalm 42:1 AMP). The pursuit of God is a deep thirst that nothing else can quench. This Christmas, amidst the lights and carols, let us not settle for hollow traditions. Instead, let us long for the living God, pressing into His presence.
2. Seeking His Kingdom
Jesus Himself instructs us, “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also” (Matthew 6:33 AMP). The pursuit of God is not merely about personal experience; it is about aligning our lives with His kingdom purposes.
3. Seeking His Word
God’s Word is a treasure for those who pursue Him. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 AMP). In this season, when schedules overflow with busyness, let us commit to seeking God through His Word, allowing it to guide our steps and renew our minds.
Christmas: A Season to Renew the Pursuit
1. Remember the Gift of Emmanuel
The birth of Christ is the ultimate declaration of God’s desire for relationship with His people. This truth should compel us to pursue Him with greater passion. Charles Spurgeon writes, “Immanuel, God with us, in our nature, in our sorrow, in our life work, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us—or rather, we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendor.”
2. Respond to His Love
Christmas reminds us that God’s pursuit of us is not passive. It is active and sacrificial. “For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son” (John 3:16 AMP). As we ponder His love, let us respond by loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
3. Live in Anticipation
The pursuit of God is not just about the here and now; it is about eternity. Paul writes, “But [I actively] press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Philippians 3:12 AMP). Like Paul, we are called to press forward, longing for the day when we see Him face to face.
Practical Steps to Pursue God This Christmas
1. Pause and Pray
Carve out intentional time each day to sit in God’s presence. Prayer is not just speaking; it is listening, longing, and waiting on Him.
2. Dive into Scripture
Reflect on the promises of God’s coming. Meditate on passages like Isaiah 9:6 and Luke 2, letting the truth of His Word stir your heart.
3. Worship Wholeheartedly
Let your worship go beyond music. Let it be a lifestyle—a daily offering of gratitude and obedience to God.
4. Give and Serve
Pursuing God often means reflecting His love to others. This Christmas, seek to serve someone in need, showing the light of Christ through your actions.
The Reward of Pursuit
Jesus promises, “Ask and keep on asking, and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking, and you will find; knock and keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7 AMP). To pursue God is to find Him, and in finding Him, we discover the fullness of life.
John, the beloved disciple, puts it simply yet profoundly: “We love, because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19 AMP). Our pursuit is merely a response to the love He has already lavished upon us.
Closing Prayer
Lord, You have pursued us with an everlasting love, sending Jesus Christ to dwell among us. This Christmas, we desire more of You. Stir our hearts to seek You with all our strength, that we may know You more deeply and reflect Your love more clearly. Draw us closer, and let our pursuit of You be the defining mark of our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.