Highly Pursued

You may not know this, but I am a highly pursued author, speaker and newspaper columnist. Highly pursued. Unfortunately, most of the people pursuing me are wearing badges and have blue and white flashing lights on top of their cars. And they’re usually pursuing me to give me a little gift, in the form of a ticket. I used to be on a first name basis with many of our local police officers. I had a habit of driving a wee bit too fast, and they had a habit of being at the wrong place just when I accelerated. But for the past couple of years, I’ve changed my ways. Or at least I haven’t gotten caught. I thought maybe things had turned around for me . . . until Sunday morning. It was time-change Sunday, and I took extra care not to be late to church. Sure enough, I got everyone up and fed and dressed and out the door so we could be at church on time. But none of that mattered. I was a couple of blocks from the church when those familiar lights flashed in my rearview mirror. This time, it wasn’t for speeding. It turn  out, my registration sticker should have been renewed back in January. And on top of that, I haven’t put my current insurance card in my glove compartment yet. I assured the officer that yes, I would get my registration taken care of as soon as possible, and that yes, my insurance was up-to-date, even though the current card was at home. And he assured me that yes, as soon as I take my current registration and proof of insurance to the courthouse, they’ll probably drop all charges. But I still got a ticket. I was late to church. I should have stayed in bed. I know the fine officers of our town are just trying to keep me safe. I appreciate all they do for me and others every single day. But honestly, I dread seeing one of them coming. I’m forever messing up, one way or another, and our police officers just love to point out every teensy little infraction. I know, I know. They’re just doing their jobs, ma’am. (Heavy, frustrated sigh.) Did you know God chases after us, too? He does. He pursues each and every one of us, with a passion and purpose that is unmatched by even the outstanding local police force. Only, contrary to popular belief, God doesn’t pursue us to point out our faults. He chases after us because He loves us, and He longs to have a relationship with us. Those flowers blooming on the side of the road? He sent those just for you. That sunset? He painted that to make you smile. He loves us. And He chases us in a kind of divine romance because He wants to pour out that love on us. The recognition of that love brings with it the feelings of peace and acceptance we all long for. That kind of love is right there, being held out for us, waiting for us to take it. God is pursuing us. Instead of giving Him a high-speed chase, why don’t we slow down, pull the car over, and let him shower us with His love? Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”