I had the privilege of being the missionary for the 5th & 6th grade camp last week at Michiana Christian Service Camp.  Wow!  What a great week!

As is usual during that week, we played one of my favorite games — capture the flag.  I especially love it at camp because it provides a very vivid picture of what our pursuit of Jesus ought to look like.  A year ago I broke my big toe playing this game at camp, so I was a little cautious as the game began this year.  After a couple of rounds though, I decided my toe could handle it and I was in the game at full intensity.

Most of the campers and faculty love this game and play it with all of the energy and desire they can muster.  The task of finding a flag or running down an opposing team member is attempted with great enthusiasm and incredible effort.  The thought of rolling through the grass, or even through the gravel, doesn’t phase the serious players a bit because they are determined to win.

What are you chasing with that same determination?  What is it that you will do anything to have?  Jesus says that the one thing we pursue with all of our energy and determination ought to be God.  The greatest commandment is defined as this: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”   In other words, chase after God with every fiber of your being giving all that it has.  You should finish life knowing that you have left nothing behind in your pursuit of God.

I want to be one who chases after God with all of my heart, mind, soul, and strength.  As I do that, I want to be involved in teaching and equipping people to follow my example, just as I follow the example of Jesus.  May you and I be faithful pursuers of God.  He has promised that if we seek Him, we will find Him when we seek Him with our whole heart.  Let’s be whole-hearted pursuers of Jesus!