Do you ever feel like the frantic cat in a “cat and mouse” game? Always running, always chasing…looking for something to satisfy that gnawing hunger within…never quite fast enough to attain the sumptuous prize? Life can be like that. We chase after money, success, the perfect relationship, relaxation, power, position, a great body, boats and trucks and cars–none of it actually capable of filling the void that we feel.

There is, however, a prize after which we were designed to chase and that is, God himself.

Are you chasing after God?

Do you want to meet with him? Do you want to be where he is? Are you searching for ways to serve Him? Are you following Him to places of darkness to shine his light of truth and to share the gospel? Have you said in your spirit, “God, I want to be where you are“?

It is in the journey of following God that we find true peace and rest, not in chasing after things of this world. Paul says in Romans 8:5-6, “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by he Spirit is life and peace…”

Stop and think a minute. How much time lately have you spent planning ways to achieve your earthly goals? How about in pursuing those goals? Have you spent as much time and effort seeking God for direction and guidance? Have you fallen on your knees before Him and said, “Lord, I want to be where you are…make me effective for you…place me in the center of your will…show me those to whom I can minister and give me the strength and courage to do so. Fill me with your love, your compassion, your grace. Make my life a living sacrifice to you.”

Now that is something worth chasing after!

In Romans 12:1-2, Paul speaks to the importance of making our bodies a living sacrifice to God. He says, “Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

Give up the “cat and mouse game” of chasing after things that don’t satisfy. Instead, chase after God–find where he is at work and go there. Open your heart and life to Him. He will fill you with purpose, passion, and peace.