One of the great fears of my life is that I would get to the end of my life and realize I lived for the wrong things.” -Jennie Allen
Very thankful for the reminder of this quote today from my sweet friend.
A downfall of mine is that I often don’t follow the think before you speak guideline of life…and even worse, sometimes I write before I formulate my thoughts in an effort to help me formulate my thoughts. (Darlene, it’s funny you posted specifically about this just a day or two ago.) I mean…those aren’t words that slip out from one’s mouth…they can completely be erased, yet here I am sharing those written thoughts so often.
But for some reason I continue sharing the thought formulation pattern and here I am today. So thank you to all who are sitting front row at the Brooke-figuring-out-her-thoughts show!
I have chased the wrong things. I have caught myself pursuing one thing after another and in the back of my mind saying, “when I finish this” or “when I finish that” then I will pursue God like I used to. I will be in the Word like I used to. I will witness like I used to. I will grow like I used to.
But one thing ends and all of a sudden another thought enters my mind. Another dream. Another challenge. Another pursuit.
Chase After Christ
Yes, I have tried to keep Him in sight as I have pursued these things, but how often do I feel Him saying, “Brooke just put it down and look at me.” “Just stop striving and trust me.” “Just be still.” And I don’t.
My favorite definition of chase is “an act of pursuing someone or something.”
I have chased after a doctorate. I have chased after a photography business. I have chased after being a good wife. I have chased after being a full-time working mom in higher education. I have chased after being simply a good mom. A stay-at-home mom. A sane mom. Things that I have prayed that I would use to bring Him glory…and I fully still desire that, but sometimes these things I have chased after have waved their big fat heads right smack dab in the front of my chase after Christ.
Yes, I will glorify You in what I am doing, but I won’t put these books down, this laundry down, my kids down, my computer down to spend 20 minutes with You today. I say I will glorify You, I will show people Your love, I will share your incredible good news, but wait…let me finish this episode of Grey’s.Let me make sure I get my workout in first.
I’m not saying education or dreams or relationships or motherhood or careers are a bad thing. They are good. They can be good. But when they take priority to Christ. When they become an idol in my life…in your life…then maybe it deserves to be questioned.
Guess what? Ya know what has sustained me over the years? Him.
All those wretched times I was hit in the face with heartache and loss and destruction and evil and depression and whatever else. Ya know what sustained me? Him.
Do not be conformed…
Romans 12:2 says “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
I’m no theologian, but lately I feel as though conforming to this world and chasing money, happiness, and earthly things has started becoming a norm in my life, an idol, and I completely do not think that is good and acceptable and perfect in any way.
Popping back a couple verses. Romans 11:36 says, “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” And for all of you who can hang on for a paraphrased version… “Everything comes from him; Everything happens through him; Everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes. Yes.” Chase after Christ!
I have one life to live and more than I desire any letters at the end of my name, zeros at the end of my bank account total, or earthly knowledge I have accumulated, I deeply, deeply desire to be able to say I chased after Him.
Thanks for coming to the front row of the Brooke-figuring-out-her-thoughts show.
Bye friends!