If I had to summarize our existence under the sun in one word, it would be “pursuit.” We constantly chase after something, whether a job, promotion, pleasure, fame, fortune, or happiness. These pursuits, while not inherently wrong, often prove fleeting. They are like chasing after the wind, slipping through our grasp in a breath and leaving us yearning for more.
Moreover, our focus on these things often distracts us. It causes us to neglect the pursuit of things with eternal significance, endeavors rooted in the wisdom of Scripture.
So, as we begin this new year, I invite you to consider the following pursuits and resolve to pursue them relentlessly.
1. Pursue knowing God
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1
Pursuing God is our most essential endeavor and the most profitable use of our days. It beckons us to deepen our knowledge of God, abide in His presence, witness His glory, and seek His face day by day. This pursuit is not self-initiated but comes at the behest of God, who wants His children to know Him intimately. He has declared to us, “Seek my face,” and like David, our response should be, “Your face, Lord, do I seek” (Psalm 27:8). Resolve to prioritize pursuing God. Let this year and the ones ahead be devoted to cultivating a deeper relationship with God through prayer, meditation, and consistent Bible study. And as we earnestly pursue God and draw nearer to Him, He will draw nearer to us.
2. Pursue holiness
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14
The pursuit of God must inevitably lead us to the pursuit of holiness. In this context, holiness refers to our daily effort to become like Jesus Christ. A primary reason we learn about God is to become like Him, to reflect His traits and glory. Resolve to strive for holiness with all your might. Mortify sin in your body and commit yourself to practicing godliness. Let holiness fill every aspect of your life so you may shine as light and be a vessel fit for the Master’s use.
3. Pursue God’s kingdom
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
As children of God, we should be about our heavenly Father’s business and prioritize His things over worldly matters. God is actively building His kingdom, and we should not just be mere spectators but active participants in this endeavor, working diligently to advance it on earth. Resolve to pursue God’s kingdom through action—sharing the gospel, serving in your churches, and wholeheartedly following God’s calling for your life. Commit to becoming Christ’s hands and feet in a world in desperate need of Him.
4. Pursue love
“Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” 1 Corinthians 14:1
Loving others is the second greatest commandment in the Bible. The Lord calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to love one another as he has loved us. This kind of love is not passive but active and proactive. It transcends mere sentiments and expresses itself in deeds and truth. This love compels us to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of others like our savior gave up Himself for our sake. And it is a love we must pursue. So let Christ’s redeeming love be the theme of this year and beyond. Resolve to pursue love in all your relationships, communities, and interactions and practice the Bible’s one another commands.
5. Pursue truth
“Sanctify them in your Word; Your Word is truth.” John 17:17
We live in strange times where misinformation abounds, good is evil, evil is praised, and truth is subjective (unless your truth goes against the established narrative, it is not valid, but I digress). In times like these, where people redefine reality, it becomes crucial for Christians to pursue truth—the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Scripture is the ultimate truth; any ideology or “science” that contradicts its teachings is a lie that must be rejected. Hence, we must resolve to ground our beliefs in the unchanging truth of God’s Word and pursue it at all costs. This will make us unpopular and ostracized, but it is the cost of following the Way, the Life, and the Truth.
6. Pursue excellence
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” – Colossians 3:23-34.
As devoted followers of Christ, we must hold ourselves to higher standards than others. Whereas the world may often settle for mediocrity or the bare minimum, Christians should pursue excellence in every endeavor to honor God. As Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.” Furthermore, our pursuit of excellence reflects the grace God bestowed upon us. The apostle Paul echoes this notion in his first epistle to the Corinthians. Acknowledging the transformative power of God’s grace, he declares, “But by the grace of God, I am what I am.” And his response to God’s grace was not lackadaisical; it led to hard work. He adds, “and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” Resolve to strive for excellence in all areas of your life—personal growth, career, or relationships, so that your hard work may reflect your gratitude towards God’s manifold grace.
7. Pursue God’s glory
“Whether you eat or drink, do it all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
The chief end of our life is to glorify God. Therefore, all our pursuits, no matter how trivial or significant, must be done with this aim in mind. Before you embark on any endeavor, assess if it brings glory to God. Scripture warns us against our natural sinful tendency of seeking our own glory and calls it vainglory. Proverbs 25:27 reinforces the notion and says seeking one’s glory is not truly glorious. So resolve to make all your actions, pursuits, and activities ascribe worth to God and honor Him. Let God’s glory be the compass that directs your choices and actions this year and the ones ahead.
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
C.T. Studd
I hope you find these pursuits inspiring and will resolve to strive for them. May we commit ourselves to set our minds on things above and pursue them relentlessly in 2024 and the years ahead.
