One of the most important things I have learnt as a Christian is that some desires can never be realized unless they are relentlessly pursued. There are things that are so precious that God will not release into our lives unless a price is paid. The price is the demonstration of genuine desire, which is evidenced by pursuit.
Even as far as the devil is concerned, often times he will not let go of what rightfully belongs to us unless we fight to victory. The same is true in human relations involving the oppressor and the oppressed. Many times the oppressed have to fight for their liberties. That is why there is some truth to the saying: ‘rights are not given, they are taken’.
“Pursuit is the evidence of desire,” said Televangelist Mike Murdock. Another author wrote, “Nothing of value and quality in life comes without a loyal devotion to its pursuit.” Of course, since you are a Christian, your desires must be Godly, and their pursuit must be Christ-like.
My firstborn is a girl, because I pursued that diligently. There is nothing as wonderful as a man having a daughter – nothing beats a baby girl. So even when I was not sure whether or not I would ever marry, I told God that if I were to do so, I would want a girl for my firstborn. I even had a name for her – Uwase – which means ‘father’s’. A few months after our wedding, I had a dream in which God was telling me that it was time for my wife and I to get a child. I saw the child being born in a hospital in Uganda and it was a boy called Mark. But the same dream also said that if conception is not delayed, then Mark would be born in America. The bit about America was wonderful; the one about Mark was not. I wanted Uwase. I remember telling God almost every day: “You want me to have a boy for a firstborn; that is fine. However, I want a girl. If you must give me a boy, I have no problem with that. But if in the grand scheme of things the gender of the child does not really matter, then please give me a girl.” I was fervently pursuing my desire by speaking to God in that manner.
At 36 weeks of pregnancy, my wife travelled to America to give birth. While she was there, I dreamt she had given birth to a girl. Since I did not know that God had granted my request, I misinterpreted the dream. A few weeks later, when we got a baby girl, I realized that the dream was God telling me, “You have persuaded Me to change My mind; because you so desired to have a girl, a girl it will be.” Pursuit got me (Eden) Uwase Desiree – my desire. Concerning the name Eden, it was stealthily added by my wife. I think I forgave her.
Desiree brought so much joy to my life. I then started imagining how more wonderful life would be with a second daughter. One day, God gave me another dream – it was time to get another child, who would also be born in the States. This time however, He did not disclose the child’s gender. When the child was born, it was a girl. Glory be to God! The person we gave the honor of naming the baby called her Abigail, which means ‘father’s joy’. That lady might never know how God used her to pick a name that perfectly revealed my love for a baby girl. Once again, pursuit brought me the desire of my heart.
Space and time cannot permit me to tell you how through pursuit God gave me the spirit of wisdom that resides in Roberts Liardon, national spiritual leadership positions and several other great things that I desired over the years. Pursuit worked for me, and it will work for you too.
Earnestly pursue your desires. Some things are too great for God to just give away. If He did, you would never really be thankful and you would not handle them with the preciousness they deserve. And please remember that as a Christian, your desires should be Godly and they should be pursued in a Christ-like manner.
God bless you.