Stalking Jesus!

“Their leader will be one of their own;

their ruler will arise from among them.

I will bring him near and he will come close to me,

for who is he who will devote himself

to be close to me?

declares the LORD.

So you will be my people,

and I will be your God."

Jeremiah 30:21-22

What is the difference between a “devoted lover” and a stalker? Both are always near and both put their full focus on the object of their pursuit. The “devoted lover” is there to serve and enjoy the presence of the one who is the beloved. The stalker is there to fulfill his own desires and fantasies. The one is beautiful and the other is ugly and frightening.

Have you devoted yourself to be close to God? Is He the object of your love? Do you follow God to serve and enjoy His presence in your life or are you a follower because He can fulfill your desires and fantasies?

I once knew a man who was very rich. He had been the CEO of a corporation which had seventy thousand employees. He had run for the governorship of a state. He told me with some sadness that at the pinnacle of his power he could trust no one to give him sincere praise. He said everyone who gave him a compliment was suspect of trying to get some benefit out of it.

Is that the way we are with God? We believe and even praise Him, but the power and wealth of the Almighty has become the focus of our pursuit. We follow Jesus for the loaves and fish and for an occasional healing miracle, but not because we are devoted to Him and love Him because He first love us.

Do you love Jesus because He is rich, powerful and will be the ultimate victor in the struggle over evil? Or do you love Jesus because He first loved you? Are you a “spiritual stalker?” Are you following Jesus only for what you can get out of it? Are you devoted to Jesus or are you devoted to the blessings and miracles that come from being near Him?

It is unthinkable and impossible, but ask yourself this question: If Jesus told me that there would be no more blessings for me in this life how would I respond? Would I still love Him and want to be near Him without the “loaves and fish?”

In missionary training the term is “Rice Christians,” people who come to Jesus because they get food and other blessings when they do.

Are you running after Jesus because you desire to be near Him or are you a “spiritual stalker” seeking only the blessings that He can provide?