By Glenn Miller

GOD’S WORD: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.” – Mt 13:45-46

I love the above parable of Jesus because it underscores that before we made a decision to pursue God, God was already pursuing us. Often you and I get wrapped up in our pursuit of God, sometimes getting discouraged and disheartened, that we lose sight that God desires a relationship with us and is constantly wooing us to Him.

The clearest verse on God’s drawing us to Him and salvation is John 6:44 where Jesus declares that “no one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.” The Greek word translated “draw” is helkuo, which means “to drag” (literally or figuratively).

Clearly, this drawing is a one-sided affair. God does the drawing to salvation; we who are drawn have a passive role in the process. There is no doubt that we respond to His drawing us, but the drawing itself is all on His part.

God desires an intimate relationship with us, not just to be an acquaintance! He doesn’t request that we visit Him from time to time, but to “dwell in his house forever!” As we pursue God, it does us well to know that God actively pursues us. He loves us so much that He gave His Son to pay the price for our sins.

You can’t stop this pursuit – God initiates it and will never give up. He didn’t ask for your permission. But He is a gentleman and awaits your acceptance of Him. Before we ever understand that Love, love has found us.

I love the way that my favorite worship leader, Anna Byrd from Gateway Church, shares this image in the song, “Love Has Found Us.” Take a listen…

If you are feeling that no one loves you or cares for you, know that God Himself is seeking you and loves you beyond your own comprehension. For many, it’s time to stop playing hard to get, and relax as His loving arms catch you.