It is important that as believers, we have godly pursuits. His Word that teaches us to set our affections on things above and not things on earth. Our motives, agendas, and all we do should pursue holiness and righteousness. Two months after making resolutions at the beginning of the New Year, we find ourselves in the midst of the Lenten season. The questions that confront all of us are: Have we made godly resolutions and Lenten season sacrifices? Have we sought to follow God? Is our agenda, our own, or a Kingdom agenda? What are you pursuing? The Word teaches that where your heart is, there you are, also. What is your heart’s desire? Prayerfully, it is to follow God. We say that God will give us the desires of our heart, but what is our heart asking of Him? Are we striving to be more like Christ every day? Only you can answer those questions. This is a good time to take inventory of our pursuits. I must admit, when I look at my own list, all of them are not godly pursuits, but I pray today that Romans 14:19 will speak to me and to you.

“So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.”

Paul writes of pursuing the proper objectives. He is not challenging the believers’ freedom, but is encouraging them to strengthen each other. Paul has been making this plea for some time. He reminds them that love, humility, kindness, and gentleness are expected when serving the church of the Lord. In the following verse, he warns them not to work in a manner that will be offensive to God. Paul speaks about the responsibility of demonstrating self-restraint and for them to be a builder in the kingdom. As this New Year continues to unfold, let us strive to engage in Godly pursuits.