Some dogs chase cars. Some dogs chase bikes. Some dogs chase other dogs.Some dogs will chase after anything you throw at them. A stick, a frisbee, a can. Eager they are.
Then you have the dogs that chase nothing. They put on a show to chase every passing car or person, but quickly give up pursuit. Apparently its a game to chase for the sake of the chase and nothing else. There's no reason or purpose to their pursuit.
Even as there is a canine chase, there is a human chase -- and for most of us, it too is meaningless. When one pursuit fails, we simply go on to the next. Sometimes the chase ends in failure, but that doesn't dissuade us.
Even when the chase ends in success and we catch the object of our desire, we quickly tire of the prize and turn our energy to the next target – the next purchase, the next sale, the next deal, the next next.
So, what are you chasing? Is there something meaningful awaiting you at the end of the chase, something deeply satisfying? Most likely not, unless you are chasing after God.
This pursuit is really the only one worth it. God is the only thing that can ultimately be caught. Everything else -- power, possessions, pleasure -- has a way of trickling out of your hands.
The chase for God can never stop, because you feel you have found Him, you will want to stop. But if you rest too long, He will begin to slip away from your grasp because you stopped. Our faith isn't an event -- its a lifetime of understanding and exploration of His nature.
But while we are chasing, a funny thing happens -- He is right there with us even though we are seeking Him.
Jesus said "knock and the door will open." The original language says "keep on knocking." It doesn't stop.
So let the chase begin!
Ecclessiastes
4 comments so far - add yours here:
I've re-read this blog a few times now...and I've struggled with the analogy. I think the issue I have with it is not about the 'chase' we have for temporal things, but the chase for God.
To me...a chase is something that is of my doing. Something that I do in order to close the gap to what I'm chasing so to ultimately catch it. So, let me offer this thought:
Chasing God to catch him is futile. There are no amount of acts we can do to ultimately catch Him. It is when we take pause to 'be caught' by the Holy Spirit that we are with Him. Then, we are no longer chasing anything, but following Him to acheive those things in life that serve His will.
So the question is...are we no better than a dog chasing something that can never be caught -- happiness through money, achievement, a rabbit at the track, etc. Or, are we willing to take pause to be caught so to serve a greater Master -- possibly a sheep dog for the Good Shepherd? (so to keep the dog analogy)
You use Ecclessiastes...I'll use Kansas -- "All we are is dust in the wind." I would hope that we are far less random and serve a more significant purpose than that. But, without God, are we?
Eric - thanks for reading faithfully and contributing to the dialog!
When I was thinking about this I was comparing how it feels when I'm chasing things of this world (meaningless in the scheme of things) vs. what it feels like when I'm pursuing God (I used the word 'chase' to represent the active pursuit of Him in my life).
For me, I mostly seem to experience God's presence when I'm most actively seeking Him - which isn't to say He isn't with me when I'm being a spiritual slug, I'm just trying to live of my will and I suspect I'm trying to hide from him....
Not sure if any of this makes sense but it gets at where my head was when I was cobbling the rough notes (which thankfully David smoothed out and fixed up).
Happy Thanksgiving!! Rob
Happy Thanksgiving? Now I am really confused. What was that previous commenter chasing, thinking it's November?
Anwyays, this is a thought-provoking post. Yes, we chase, and I am particularly guilty of that. But,as you say (and the quote from Ecclesiastes) sometimes we get the same feeling from pursuing our relationship with God. We try and pursue a relationship with God, but don't quite feel we've reached whatever it is we were supposed to reach.
I have had periods of absolute spiritual peace and ecstasy, but mostly I don't feel anything in particular and have had to learn to live on faith, not on feelings of ultimate fulfillment. That is not easy. Maybe I am a bad Christian. THis is why I do not understand Christians who seem to be stir-crazy over GOd. I just don't get it.
But trust me, I know I am alot more fulfilled and whole than I would be without my Christian faith.
The "chase" imagery is thoroughly biblical. The Bible talks about longings, desires, seeking, panting, pursuing...God. The Puritans talked about the "affections" and our thirst for God. I found the post biblical and personally challenging. Thank you for creative red-letter writing.
Post a Comment