“Let Israel be glad in its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King. Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre. For the LORD takes pleasure in his people.” Psalm 149: 2-4
The Spirit reminded me this past Sunday as I preached that, according to Reformed (Protestant) theology, we are created for one reason alone: “to glorify God and to enjoy God forever.” Isn’t that an amazing statement, so contrary to all that we have been taught? We aren’t created to earn God’s love. We aren’t created to prove ourselves. We aren’t created to be mired in guilt and shame when we miss the mark. We aren’t created to worry our way to heaven. We are created to glorify (praise and worship) God and to ENJOY God! Always, every moment. I don’t think our churches teach that remarkable, foundational Good News enough, nor do preachers proclaim it enough. In the midst of such a judgmental world, the Good News is that we are called to enjoy God, just as we are.
Enjoying God may seem like a rather foreign concept, especially if we were raised to see God as a punitive, authoritarian figure. I have been reflecting on all the opportunities I’ve been given to enjoy God, even in the midst of a pandemic. Certainly in nature. Often in creating something, even these reflections, or in crafting a piece of poetry. Many times in authentic worship and service, and always in the sacraments. I enjoy God in the grace-filled gifts of my family and friends which I have done nothing to deserve. I enjoy God in my times of quiet companionship with God. But to be honest, I really don’t recognize all those moments as “enjoyment” very often. What a gift!
But the psalmist tells us something that, to me, is even more remarkable: “The Lord takes pleasure in his people.” We are invited to enjoy God because GOD is enjoying us! How does that feel to you, the idea that God delights in you? When I reflected on this, the first thought that came to mind was, “How can you delight in me, God? Look at those mistakes I’ve made, those opportunities I’ve bypassed, those gifts I haven’t used, those times I haven’t loved, etc., etc.” But God sees past those things. God’s mercy and love are far wider than any of my faults. God delights in what God has created, and I, and you, are part of that creation. Think of when you have created something, anything—a poem, a flower arrangement, a piece of woodwork, a loaf of bread, a thriving garden, a sermon, a painting, a completed project—and you have stood back and examined it with love. That feeling, that sense of accomplishment, is the same delight that God feels for each one of us.
Oh, how different the world would be if people understood two profound truths: that God wants our enjoyment, not our fear and guilt, and that God delights in each one of us. That would be a world where fear would have no say and love would heal.
This devotional was originally posted on Reverend Rosemary McMahan’s personal Facebook page. She was invited to contribute to this blog by the NAP Peacemaking Task Force.