Pursuing at Her Pace

I am a doer. I like to get things done. I like to check things off my list. I like to accomplish and move to the next thing. Generally when I think of pursuing something, I think of getting what I want. Pursuit is characterized by a goal I have in mind that I'm trying to reach, the sooner the better. If I wanted to buy a car, I would pursue that goal by saving up and going without some things so I could get my desire quicker.

Pursuing a girl is a different kind of pursuit.

Generally my conception of pursuing only involves me and my desires. But pursuing a girl shouldn't be about me or my desires; it should be focused on her and her needs. Sometimes she will need you to pursue slower than you want to pursue. That seems to go against the nature of pursuit in its general conception.

But it comes down the where the emphasis lies. Does it lie in pursuit or in her. Is pursuit about you and what you can get or about what you are pursuing? When the focus becomes too much on pursuing and not enough on her, you can forget what you are pursuing and essentially plow through the very thing you are trying to reach. When you forget what you are pursuing, a precious daughter of God, it's too easy to leave her in your dust while you are running out ahead, "pursuing," but no longer pursuing her because you passed her up and have become self focused, focused on your goals.

Pursuing at her pace can be a challenge. I need to constantly ask myself and her, "How can I bless and encourage you?" Sometimes I need to be reminded just to have fun and enjoy each other's company. Real pursuit is not about me. Real pursuit is about her, at her pace, and in a way that blesses her. That might mean going slower than you are able to go, but that is okay if pursuing is about her needs.

Pursuit that is not self-focused but focused on someone else is honoring to God because it models God's pursuit of us. His patience is incredible with us of little faith, but He gently guides and leads His children in the ways they should go, even though we so often try our best to stray. He does not expect us to be mature Christians the day we believe but rather continues to pursue us by His Holy Spirit through a progressive process of sanctification, ultimately for His glory and our joy. May the godly pursuit of young women accomplish the same ultimate purpose.