Longing To Be Pursued
Longing to Be Pursued
Lynn Cowell
“Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.”
(Isaiah 43:4)
My heart beats wildly. “Hurry, hurry! You’ll be too late!”
I’ve watched this movie over and over. I know the hero will come to the rescue at the last second and demand, “She goes free!” to the captain. I know he’ll risk his life to save hers.
It doesn’t matter that I already know what will happen. The thrill of the pursuit and a heroic rescue sends my heart pounding every time.
I know I’m not alone. Countless women curl up on their couches to watch the same chick flicks time and again, especially the ones in which the hero gives everything to save the girl. Like the women rescued in movies, we want to be desired, fought for, pursued. And we are.
Our Creator Himself pursues us, but it’s so much better than in the movies. He gave up His life and paid a great price to rescue us.
Certainly, there had been many times I had seen Jesus as my Savior, Shepherd, and Friend. But it wasn’t until I read this passage from Isaiah that I fully realized how valuable I am to Him:
“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end—
“Because I am GOD, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you” (Isaiah 43:1–4 MSG).
He’d give up everything just for me? That’s crazy! But that’s the radical love that revolutionized my life. When I read these verses, I began to see a side of Jesus I’d never seen. He pursues me. He loves me more than anything. And He wants to be my everything.
This truth satisfied a deep longing I didn’t know I had. This is the love that fills my wanting heart and settles the question, Am I valuable enough to be pursued?
Yes, I am. And so are you.
Dear Lord, I know You created this part of me that wants to be pursued and rescued. I know I am designed to be filled only by Your unconditional love. Thank You that You will never grow tired of me or stop pursuing me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
REMEMBER
No man, dad, boyfriend, or husband can fully fill the love gap in our hearts to be pursued. Only the One who created your heart can: Jesus.
REFLECT
What indicators do you see in your life that reveal your need to be pursued and fought for?
RESPOND
Write out Psalm 45:11 (MSG), putting in your name: “The king is wild for _______.” When you feel rejected, remind yourself of this truth—your King is crazy for you!
Think of a time when you did not feel wanted or pursued. Rewrite that story, this time with Jesus there to fill that rejection and vulnerability. Whenever the memory comes back, replace it with the truth that God would trade the whole world for you!
POWER VERSES
John 3:16; Zephaniah 3:17
From the book
