A friend recently shared a little advice. Perhaps you have heard this as well. It's a subtle message that calls to us like echoes in a stone courtyard. It calls with a smooth voice, tickling our ears, trying to shift the transmission of our heart, driving us away from God. This is what she posted:
“Whatever makes you feel sunshine from the inside out, chase that.”
Should we trust the feelings inside of us? Is there sunshine inside?
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”[1]
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world.”[2]
If what is in our heart and what is in the world are both wicked, then what sunshine should we chase?
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”[3]
“But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings…”[4]
Jesus. The Sun of Righteousness, Who has true healing -- salvation. Jesus is the Sun that we must chase. He engages the transmission of our heart, driving us to the beauty of God, not reversing ourselves into the darkness of the world.
How can we run after Jesus?
“The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and saves the humbled in spirit.”[5]
First, see that He is beside you with His arm about you. Like a protective eagle, He is cradling you under His mighty wing.[6] He is patiently waiting and wanting to make you brand new. Talk to Him. Be honest. Ask for His help. And then listen to Him speak through the Bible.
You don't need clergy to mediate for you. Just walk into God’s presence and talk to Him. Is there a safe place with the all-powerful, all-knowing God? Yes! God doesn’t want anyone to perish, but for everyone to live through His Son, Jesus Christ.[7]
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”[8]
How can we chase Jesus? Colossians 3 gives us step by step instructions.
What is it like to chase Jesus? Death to self, life in Christ. Peace will rule in your heart.[9] Wisdom, joy, love, kindness, too. And so much more.[10]
Simply ask God in prayer. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, Who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting…”[11]
Believe God. He is faithful and He cares for you. Take the shattered pieces of your heart and dump them in His lap. There’s no sunshine brighter than being cradled by the One who made the sun. “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”[12]
pc: Tim Hill
[1] God speaking through the prophet Jeremiah 17:9-10
[2] 1 John 2:15-16
[3] John 8:12
[4] God speaking through the prophet Malachi 4:2
[5] Psalm 34:18
[6] Psalm 91:1-2
[7] 2 Peter 3:9
[8] Colossians 3:1-3
[9] Colossians 3:15
[10] Galatians 5
[11] James 1:5-6
[12] 1 Peter 5:6-7