A Worthy Pursuit

He wants your presence too.

“And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.” - Exodus 33:14-15
 
Moses did not want to go on without the presence of God. He did not want to enter the land flowing with milk and honey without the presence of God.
 
“It doesn’t matter where you are but who you’re with…”

The ultimate expression of this idea is God with us. We can live in the best circumstances -- a stable job, a nice house, good friends, and close family -- and feel completely empty. We can live a life without the frills, favors, or fortune we knew would someday be ours… and be shot through with wholeness and joy because the presence of God has gone with us.
 
So yes, follow that beating-heart-desire for His presence. It is a worthy pursuit.

And this reality goes both ways.

God does not want to go without us - without my little sold out heart that beats for Him.
 
“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” - Hosea 6:6

This idea - that God’s desire is for me, not for what I can give or how much I can serve or all the goodwill I can muster, but for me - is all over the Bible.
 
We can lay a thousand things on the altar to absolve confused feelings of guilt and fragments of condemnation. And before, during, and after our sacrifice is complete, He just wants to sit with us.

Click here for a complete list of all the things God desires more than sacrifice.
 
What strikes me is that most of these references are in the Old Testament.
 
When sacrifices were a regular and necessary part of life for people of God, He wanted their hearts.

And now – when gathering and serving and going and sending are a regular and necessary part of life for people of God, He wants our hearts.
 
He desires [mercy, nearness, love, and justice] more than sacrifice. Sit with Him.

Author | Claire Jordan