We Become Like What We Pursue

In the middle of the litany of the kings of Judah and Israel--some who did what was right and many who did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord--a statement jumped off the page at me: "...they went after false idols and became false" (2 Kings 17:15).  What the people went after they also became.  We become like what we pursue.  Those who pursue righteousness through Christ become righteous.  Those who pursue Jesus become more like Him.

Who are what are you pursuing?  Who or what are you becoming?  Who or what is worthy of your pursuit?

Here is some of what God has to say about what is worthy of your pursuit:

1 Corinthians 14:1  Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

1 Timothy 6:11  Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

2 Timothy 2:22  So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

The pursuit of these things is really a pursuing of Christ who embodies them all.  Moreover, our pursuit of Christ is only possible because we have a Shepherd who pursues us with goodness and mercy (Psalm 23:6).