After Stuck and Anything I knew that I wouldn’t embark on
Chase without facing conviction. Jennie Allen
has a way of hitting you right between the eyes with truth. The truth of our sin nature, the truth about
the allure of the world we live in, and the truth about what it takes to be
whole-heartedly in love with our Savior.
It took her exactly one chapter to tug my heartstrings by
stating: what we love determines how we live.
I read this line on a plane on my way to Togo in West Africa where I was
headed on a short-term missions trip. As
good as that may sound, to you, I knew my life still wasn’t reflecting what I
so desperately wanted my love to show. Jennie says in her video intro to the study
she says that she use to care more about people thinking she loved God then actually
knowing and loving Him.
I was still clinging to too much me. Still within that first chapter she writes,
‘self esteem dies hard, especially for those of us who stand on a great
performance. The work of Christ steals
all shame but it also steals all of our pride’.
Pride. If wanted to Chase after
the heart of God I was going to have to sacrifice my pride. I was going to have to crush the image I’ve
controlled, let go of my death grip on my earthly desires, and say simply: here
I am Lord.
As I continued the study I knew that Jennie understood what
we’re up against as Christian women.
What keeps us from chasing after the heart of God? Fear.
The fear of what that life would look like. Of the sacrifices it might require.
Chase is rooted in the story of David. If you’ve read about David in the bible you
know that he made some huge mistakes.
Murder and adultery for starters but he is also the one and only person
the bible ever says the Lord called ‘a man after my own heart’. You need only to spend some time reading
David’s psalms to know he was in passionate pursuit of the Lord’s heart.
In chapter three of the Chase study, the chapter on
obedience Allen writes, ‘ as my view of Him grew, my trust in Him grew and my
obedience to Him grew, not out of fear but because I wanted Him more than my
own way’. This. This is what that tired, filthy
mini-missionary in Africa wanted. I found
that as I read Allen’s study I was desperate to want His way more than my own.
Each of Allen’s studies have challenged me, grown me, and
pushed me out of being comfortable in my Christian existence and for that I’m
grateful. Each study has had a profound
effect on my faith walk and each has come to me at the perfect time. As I find that I am at the strongest my faith
has ever been I am also realizing that I’ve reached the point in my walk with
the Lord where I have to jump off the cliff into full surrender.
Allen’s Chase study includes a DVD with lessons for you and
your group to watch weekly – a great feature for in-home bible studies. I love her honesty. I love how real she
is. Most of all I appreciate how
relatable she is in each video. The package
also comes with a leaders guide, a member book, and my favorite feature – discussion
cards. The kid has a box labeled ask and
each week as a set of cards you’re to lay out on the table. Each member of your group will either have a
key verse to read or a question to ask at the end of the group meeting. It is the perfect way to get everyone in your
group involved (as well as relieve some of the pressure off you as a leader).
I highly recommend the Chase study, especially for a group
that’s growing and thriving but ready to kick their commitment up a notch. This study challenged me – a bible study
leader, a church worker, a long-time Christian and I know it will challenge you
and your group. We wake up everyday and
we are chasing either something or someone – the one. I hope that many of you will joining in
chasing the heart of God even as I will be leading my own small group through
this study over the summer.
Love,
B
*Please note: this study was given to me for review but the
thoughts are my own honest opinions.
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