Stepping Stones: Prevenient Pursuit and Grace

Transformational Thought

Most kids don’t come into the world in a totally random way. Most people have been thinking since their childhood about how many kids they will have, how they will parent them, whether they will get an apartment or house with extra bedrooms, plan a nursery, even planning their sexual activity. All before the pregnancy even starts.

Did you know the work of God is present in our lives “before” we are even aware of it? In fact, millennia before we were even born, God knew who we were going to be. He was preparing the circumstances that would have the most influence and impact on us to show us our need for Him. He then is with us from conception to the end of time if we choose to be with Him during this lifetime in which the impact of some key decisions will last forever.

The word prevenient means “to come before.” Think about this for a moment: God has always been there, planning for us, and waiting for us, in anticipation of the loving relationship He desires to have specifically with each one of us. God pursues this relationship … He actively “courts” us through love and grace. It’s unassuming … and never forced.

He is there wooing us, hoping we will accept His amazing offer. His offer is free to us, and saves us so much pain and struggle in this world. He offers an incredible, eternal life in heaven after this one. We were created to have this beautiful romance with God. Without it, we will forever feel emptiness as we turn to ungodly substitutes to attain what we are missing.

Today, take a look at what you are pursuing instead of God. What hollow and harmful substitutes are you letting Satan entice you with? To what are you turning for your needs ... to soothe you … to bring you comfort … to help you escape your troubles? Anything other than God himself or what He provides is a dangerous counterfeit. Know that the Lord is seeking you and has been for thousands of years. Are you ready to receive the love and gifts He offers? When you do, you will be humbled and empowered beyond your dreams. Your decision, choose well.

Prayer
Dear Father, I come to You with a humble, yet thankful heart. It’s always so amazing to know that in spite of my wrong choices, Your love and grace continue to flow to me. What an awesome thought: You have been there waiting for me even before I was born ... waiting with Your ever-present offer of a personal romance with me. I thank You for the love You give me. My Lord and God, please help me seek You as You seek me. I know now that my acceptance of You changes everything. You said “yes” to me at creation and again at the cross when You sent Your only Son to die for my sins. I say “yes” to You, Lord. I say “yes” to the greatest gift anyone could imagine. I pray this surrounded by Your grace and mercy and through Your Son Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!

The Truth
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Genesis 1:27

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39