So this week our topic was on Revival. We talked a lot about the power of prayer, and we were encouraged to spend a lot of time in prayer and seeking the Lord, asking for big and bold things for America specifically, and asking for His heart for America (since that is where we are going for our outreach in two weeks).
During my quiets times, I was starting to feel a little frustrated because although I could feel God's presence and His peace when I would pray, I didn't feel like I was hearing His voice very clearly like I had before. So I talked to my friend Miriam about it and I realized that God had been pursuing me so clearly this past year, really drilling in my head that I was valued, that He loved me and delighted in me, and that I had a purpose.
Throughout this week, though He never left my side, Miriam suggested that maybe He stepped back just a little to see if I would follow. Our relationship with Him is a two-way street, and He wanted to know if I would pursue and chase after Him, too. What she said really made sense to me and suddenly the confusion went away.
It reminds me of the game of tag. It wouldn't be much fun if God just kept tagging me and I never got the chance to chase Him and tag Him back. He had been tagging me, over and over again and I just stood there, waiting for Him to tag me again, I thought that was the best the game had to offer. Little did I know that I could tag Him back, and it's even more thrilling!
The same day that I was getting this new revelation of how God wants to me to chase after Him like He chases me, I was playing worship music and heard this song, "Called Me Higher" and it COMPLETELY hit home.
The lyrics explain exactly what I was feeling and learning,
I could just sit, I could just sit right here and wait for all your goodness,
And hope to feel Your presence.
I could just stay, I could just stay right where I am and hope to feel You,
Hope to feel something again.
I could hold on, I could hold on to who I am and never let You change me from the inside,
I could be safe, I could be safe here in Your arms and never leave home,
Never let these walls down
But You have called me higher, and You have called me deeper,
And I'll go where You lead me, Lord
Where You lead me
And I will be Yours, Lord, I will be Yours for all my life.
"...You will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for Him with all your heart and soul, you will find Him." Deuteronomy 4:29
"In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find Me. I will be found by you, says the Lord." Jeremiah 29:13-14
"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8
"Search for the Lord and for His strength; continually seek Him." 1 Chronicles 16:11
"The Lord is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him." Lamentations 3:25
So I want to play this song for you all because it was really on my heart this week and I feel like it summed up perfectly what God taught me. He is so good, He pursues us because He wants a real relationship with us, and real relationship goes both ways. He wants us to chase after Him because He knows that He is the best thing for us. :)
I don't know what it looks like for you to "chase after" God, it looks different for all of us because we are all in different places, but I hope that in reading this God puts on your heart how you can "tag" Him back. :)
(Also sorry for the poor-quality video, bad lighting, and terrible angle, but you get the point ;)
I am beyond thrilled to be on this journey of trusting the Lord, He has called me to be here at this time, and I know He will continue to provide all I need, it's in His character and and I want to invite you all into what God is doing here through partnering with me financially!
I still need $2,731 to fund the remaining 2 weeks of training as well as our two-month outreach!
About $381 of that is due by Friday! Every donation counts and is a HUGE blessing to me, I would love to have you on my team!
If you would like to donate you can click here. Payment for a student/Sherah Acree/SOMD/2016
If you would like to be apart of my prayer team and receiver weekly prayer requests and updates you can email me at sacree01@gmail.com and I will add you to my team!