Would it be meaningful for you to better long for God if you knew He was longing after you? Wouldn’t it be easier to enjoy Him if you knew He was enjoying you?
Those were the questions I asked myself as I read this from Robert W. Kellemen’s book, Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction:
“God enjoys you. Do you believe it? Does it make a difference in your life? ‘God’s friendship,’ Luther reminds us, ‘is a bigger comfort than that of the whole world’ (Luther, Luther’s Works, Vol. 49, p. 306). Father celebrates with us and over us. He likes us. Desires us. Wants to have fun with us. Delights in us.
“Larry Crabb tells the story of an encounter that he experienced with author Brennan Manning.
Several years earlier, Brennan had told me of his spiritual director’s curious habit. Whenever he saw Brennan after an extended absence, he jumped up and down with delight.
I remember smiling. I pictured an elderly gentleman walking down a deserted beach toward an agreed upon meeting point and, spotting Brennan from a distance, hopping three or four times. The image amused me. It also drew me.
A year later, my wife Rachel and I tumbled out of a crowded elevator into a hotel lobby teeming with conference participants. Across the way, I caught a glimpse of Brennan’s white hair and unmistakable smile. As I leaned toward Rachel to tell her I had just seen Brennan, he turned and saw us. Immediately, he jumped up and down. I was warmed to the bottom of my heart. (Crabb, Connecting, pg 71).
Dr. Kellemen continues, “Have you ever pictured Father greeting you like that? Do it now. Stop. Pause. Meditate. Envision. You’re the forgiven prodigal, the accepted son, the celebrated child, the delighted-in-friend–of God. He sees you across the way. Wow! What a huge smile breaks forth across His face. Now what? He’s jumping up and down. Gleeful. Dancing. Skipping. Delighted to see you.” (pg. 371).
Yes, WOW! I want to run and jump into Father’s arms! To think of Him jumping up and down with delight as I anticipate seeking Him out is wonderful. And isn’t that what Zephaniah 3:17 is talking about?
“The LORD your God is in your midst,
A victorious warrior
He will exult over you with joy,
He will be quiet in His love,
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy” (NASB).
Enjoy God’s delight in you and over you!
Kathy, Thank you for sharing from Dr. Kellemen's book. I just cried as I thought about how He delights in me as His daughter. WOW..I so don't even really begin to understand or deeply realize it. But may He take me there according to His rich Word and power.
I just came across your blog on Tricia Goyer's site and am grateful for your transparency about your ministry. I praise the Lord for how He brought you to a place of rest and restoration. I am encouraged by His leading in your life through your sabbatical and back into ministry. Thank you for your obedience and example of this to me.
Our Lord is working on my own heart and healing a hurt or wound related to my own ministry experience. Thank you for the reminder that our Lord JUMPS and DELIGHTS and SINGS over His children…and especially when we've not been coming to Him for a while!
Thank you! I look forward to receiving further encouragement through your blogs.
Laura, thank you so much for commenting on my post and I'm so thrilled that the vision of your Lord jumping and delighting and singing over you was meaningful. I'm praising the Lord for His work! Thanks for coming on over to visit me from Tricia's site. God bless you!