Hot Pursuit

Scripture Focus: “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” — Philippians 3:12 (NIV)

Lord Jesus,

We come not to perform, but to pursue. Awaken our hearts again—stir holy hunger where routine has dulled us. Help us lay aside distractions, disappointments, and delays that slow our steps. Draw us close and give us the courage to press on after You with our whole hearts. Amen.

To be in hot pursuit of Jesus is to refuse a faith that is casual, convenient, or comfortable. It is choosing movement over stagnation, intimacy over information, obedience over opinion. Paul’s words—“I press on”—suggest effort, direction, and resolve. He was not chasing applause or achievement; he was chasing Christ Himself.

Hot pursuit doesn’t mean perfection. It means direction. It is waking up and deciding, again and again, “Today, knowing Jesus matters more than everything else.” It is faith with legs—love that moves, truth that obeys, and hope that refuses to settle.

A long-distance runner once shared how, during a race, the hardest stretch wasn’t the steepest hill—it was the flat middle miles. The adrenaline of the start had faded, and the finish line was still out of sight. Many runners slowed or stopped there. But those who kept their eyes on a fixed point ahead—a tree, a bend in the road, a marker—kept moving.

Our spiritual journey often feels like that middle stretch. The excitement of “new beginnings” has worn off, and the fruit of perseverance isn’t visible yet. Hot pursuit is choosing a fixed point—Jesus—and continuing forward when progress feels slow. It’s trusting that every faithful step matters, even when no one is cheering.

At Sowing Seeds of Joy, hot pursuit shapes everything we do. We believe that mission is not driven by obligation, but by love in motion. When we pursue Jesus passionately, we cannot help but join Him where He is already at work—among the nations, the hurting, the overlooked, and the hopeful.

Hot pursuit looks like:

• Touching lives with compassion because we’ve been touched by Christ

• Training believers to walk deeply and wisely because we’re still learning at His feet

• Transforming communities because Jesus transforms us first

  
  

We don’t sow seeds to be seen. We sow because we are following Jesus into fields He loves. Every prayer prayed, every trip taken, every leader equipped, every child encouraged is an act of pursuit—running after Christ and scattering joy along the way.

• What has slowed my pursuit of Jesus lately—comfort, fatigue, distraction, or disappointment?

• Where is Jesus inviting me to press on rather than pull back?

• How is my pursuit of Christ shaping the way I love, serve, and engage God’s mission?

Jesus,We choose You again today. Strengthen our resolve when the path feels long and our steps feel heavy. Keep our eyes fixed on You and let our pursuit overflow into love for others and obedience to Your call. As we follow You, make us faithful Sowers—planting seeds of joy, hope, and truth wherever You lead us. We press on, not alone, but with You.

Amen.