Pursuing the Lion
Written By: Dawn Waldeis
To Pursue:
Biblical definition: To follow, to go or proceed after or in a like direction, to proceed without following another, to follow as an example, to imitate, to seek.
Worldly definition: to strive, to gain to achieve. ( this is not an exhaustive list of definitions.)
Pursuing the Lion echoes throughout my entire being, Iike a shofar echoing across the valley. The vibrations of these words settle into my soul as I unfold what this pursuit looks like to me. To live a life of worship, to keep my eyes on the King and to follow after His ways. This sacred pursuit rings through my heart day after day in the resounding sound that simply says, I love you, Lord! I love you, Lord! Three times, I love you, Lord! When it is quiet I think of you - when it is loud I call out to you to hear you, when I am alone I long to worship you over and over again.
Worship, the pursuit that has connected me face to face with both the Lion and the Lamb leaves me speechless every time. His presence that flows and His heart that is felt moves me to come back to this place time and time again, to be with Him even more - Gazing at His beauty.
Recently, collective worship has been stirring in my spirit, a deep desire to bring others to this place with the Lord that I so long to be, face to face with the King. In this adventure of bringing private worship into a public place I have needed and desired to pursue God on a deeper level, to pursue purity in Him and in the sound that I release in His name, so that nothing will keep us from God’s Presence - no wall or barrier- that my heart would be fully consecrated unto Him and display a pure, unadulterated love for God the Most High - for He is a Jealous God, an all Consuming Fire. My desire is that I would put nothing before Him and that there would be nothing between us. That He would become greater and that I would continually become less.
Pursuing the Lion has or should I say is building a boldness within me and my voice to release the sounds of heaven to earth - pure worship to a perfect King. Even this can only be made possible In Christ alone. In Christ alone do I even have the breath to sing. In Christ alone do I even have the ability to take my next step forward. In Christ Alone… In Christ alone..
Pursuing the Lion is a lifestyle choice, not a one and done pursuit to “achieve” anything. This is a life long pursuit of devotion to lay down my life for the One for whom I have been created.
How do I even begin to do this?
The Scriptures state in Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.
Ephesians 5: 18-21 also speaks a similar message, And be not drunk on wine, wherein excess, but be filled with the Spirit speaking to yourselves in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Worshipping God through songs and writing are passions that the Lord has placed deep within my heart creating a beautiful place for deep connection with the Lord and with others. Each of our hearts has a melody woven into it, a sound that resonates deep within - an expression of love from the Father. We were made to worship the King; the One and Only True God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit, three-in-one. In pursuing the Lion I long to know the deep facets of God, every detail of His face, I continually long to be closer to Him, to fully recognize His presence in the room and to even bring His presence into the room as I enter in with Him dwelling inside me. For God to fill the temple with His glory over and over again and for Him to dwell deeper within my heart each day. This is my desire in Pursuing the Lion.
What is your pursuit? Have you considered your ways? Have you considered His ways? I invite you to dive into the Word of God today and partake in the best meal you will ever eat. Worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. If you don’t know how - I encourage you, just open your mouth and confess His Holy Name! Let the name, JESUS, roll off of your tongue and the sound of His name resonate deep within your heart and soul. Lift up your voice in thanksgiving to the One who created you, for you are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Prayer: Father God - Fan into flames the gifts that you've given us. Awaken the song that you have placed inside each of our hearts today, God. Fill our entire being with your Holy Spirit - for our bodies are your dwelling place. Let your glory be seen shining through our hearts and out of our mouths, through the words we speak and the songs that we sing. May all of it be for your glory God. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. In Jesus name I do pray, Amen.