Yesterday, I woke up to the best surprise ever! My first article as a contributor writer was posted! I could barely keep the secret, so here's the scoop. I am now a contributing writer for a new website launch called "Saved and Single!" It targets singles and the highs and not so highs of that season. While the site launches in a few months, my articles will be posted on www.MarriedandYoung.com. #Blessed

My first post, Pursue Me, was posted (click here). It's a light-hearted read about a pivotal lesson that I learned from the WORST DATE EVER. Please read and share with whoever you feel could use a chuckle...at my expense of course. :)
 

Pursue Me

It was a set up. You know, when someone who loves you dearly just can’t stand that fact that you’re single, so they try to help God out, kind of set up. They mean well and you’re thankful that they care, so you accept, just in case they’re right this time and you don’t want to miss your blessing. So there I was, listening awkwardly to foreign music coming from the misaligned speakers and wondering what I’d gotten myself into. Don’t get me wrong, he was pleasant and I heard great things about him, but this date wasn’t working for me. Here’s why: I wasn’t being pursued. By his own admission, he’d stalked my social media and asked about me and decided that he knew everything that he needed to know. So instead of spending the date with small talk about life, interests, faith, we spent it talking about… him.

On the drive home, the Holy Spirit put a check in my spirit about the date. He reminded me that we do the exact same thing to Christ. We listen to testimonies about his faithfulness, sermons about his goodness, and songs about his righteousness. Technology give us access to the entire world with the swipe of a finger and the click of a button. We see inspirational posts, a nice saying about God here or there and a maybe a quick morning devotional. While nothing is wrong with these, they shouldn’t be the only elements to our relationship with God. Most of what we know and think about Christ is second-hand and from someone else. Just as we long to be pursued and prioritized in a dating relationship, we should chase God in that same manner. Let inspiration serve as a catalyst to study more about a topic, meditate on related scriptures, or pray about certain areas.

We can’t assume that we know everything about him, even if we’ve been in church for years. It’s an on-going relationship. At no point do you “arrive” and stop seeking his face. The Lord wants us to KNOW him. It takes time and energy to build and cultivate a relationship. Whether you’re single, “married to Jesus,” dating, or married, remember that your first focus is Christ. Build on your personal relationship rather than the relationship of others.

“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

Also, don't forget about Simplify 2016 Challenge. Have you been sticking to your priorities? Have you watched the latest video?

AND I'm a speaker! Invite me to speak at your next event!

Hugs!
Casey

P.S. Make sure to follow me on Periscope, Twitter, and Instagram @caseycarea and friend me on Facebook for #MorningMotivation @Casey Sharperson