Ernest Smith

Earlier this week, I began discussing what it means to pursue Jesus more than anyone else in a post called “You Are Number Three”.  I discussed what it means to pursue Jesus more than anyone else and what happens when we place others above God in our pursuits.  However, telling someone to pursue Jesus more than anyone sounds so simple and yet it is so much more complex and difficult when we get to implementing this truth.

This post, I wanted to focus more on the “How?”  How can you and I pursue Jesus more than anyone, or anything, else?

Last week the Olympics started and on Saturday, I found myself enthralled by the men’s cycling road race.  This race was 155 miles long and it last over 5 hours.  Think about that for a moment.  Over 5 hours on a bicycle weaving in and around crowds of people.  That does not sound like a way to spend a Saturday morning.

As cool as it would be to be an Olympian, I was glad I was home sitting on a nice couch while these men sprinted to the finish line in pursuit of a gold medal.  As I was watching the race, I began thinking about how these men got to a place where they were the best in the world, being watched by millions of people, on the most prestigious stage.

How do they pursue cycling, the gold medal, being the best and actually achieve those things?

The answer was simple.  They have to give up a lot of things.  They give up their time…spending hours every day training.

They give up their desires for fame and popularity.  Each of these racers was a part of a team and there are some on the team whose job it is to simply be a support to the guy who might win.

They give up celebrating special occasions with loved ones.

They give up other adventures and activities.

Some of them give up marriage or having kids.

In order for them to pursue their goal, they must give up so much.

As I thought about that, I thought how true this is to our life as Christ-followers.  If our goal is to know and be like Jesus, then we must ultimately give up some things to pursue him.

So what must we give up to pursue Jesus?

        1.       Give Him Your Time

In order to know God more, you must spend time with him.  Give God time to start your day, all throughout your day and at the close of your day.

        2.       Give Him Your Energy

Giving God your time is not enough.  If you are there, but you are not actively seeking him or listening to what he has to say, then that time is not valuable.  I have found this truth many times in my relationship with Sara when she is talking and I am sitting there, but I don’t hear much of what she says.  I am there, but I am not giving her the energy required to sustain the relationship.  The same is true for our relationship with God.

        3.       Give Him Your Resources

Giving God your time is good.  Giving him your energy is great.  Giving God your resources is sacrifice.  Give Him your money, your possessions, your gifts…everything.  Just remember, when you give God something, you are not truly giving, you are simply returning.  He is the one that has given us everything we have in the first place.  Return to Him what belongs to Him…everything.

In Essence, Give Jesus Your Life!

What do you need to give Jesus to be in full pursuit?