Embrace

A regular morning routine at the Severson house often includes breakfast for our three kids who sit on stools belly-up to the counter. Of course they each have their own specific stools to sit on. One morning I leaned over the counter with a clear, unmistakable look on my face indicating that I just had to tell them something both extremely important and exciting. I said to them, “I have something very important that I need to share with you.” All three kids stopped eating, had their eyes locked on me, and waited with as much patience that a four, six, and eight year old could muster. I must admit that I loved the moment of anticipation. With each passing second the tension thickened. Finally I continued, “I just have to tell you how much I love you.” Immediately Mackenzie, our eldest, smirked and replied, “I just KNEW you were going to say that.” Even so, it didn’t seem to curb her appreciation for hearing those words from her daddy. Like most parents, I love telling my kids how much I love them, and I do so often.

In Scripture there are many parallels of God’s love for us and an earthly father’s love for his children. I am an imperfect father and yet I see the value of taking great delight in my children and the worth of expressing my love to them. How much more does God, in His perfection and holiness, take great delight in expressing His love towards His children? I am reminded of a passage that simultaneously humbles me and encourages me. Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV), “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”

Perhaps it is my awareness of my own sinfulness that causes me to rarely think of God rejoicing over me. But He does! My own children are imperfect and yet I take great delight in them. Why then do I not relish and embrace the idea of God rejoicing over me? He does, and He has gone to great lengths to show me this love. Today, let us celebrate, embrace, and be continually changed by God’s amazing love for us.

Gut Check

Recently I revisited and reflected on the story of Cain and Able found in Genesis 4. You may remember that in this story both men brought sacrifices to the Lord. God accepted Able’s sacrifice but rejected Cain’s sacrifice. Though the offering itself brought by Cain was technically good enough, God rejected it because of the condition of Cain’s heart.

From this story I am reminded of a few key thoughts for spiritual health and evaluation. First of all, I must approach God and interact with Him according to His terms. I cannot attempt to connect with God by just any means that seem appealing to me. Now under the New Covenant, God has graciously provided a way for me to have fellowship with Him, but it is only accomplished through the work on the cross and my acceptance and faith in the freedom and salvation that it brings. Secondly, my attitude, demeanor, and overall heart’s condition is pivotal in my ability to enjoy and connect with God. Thirdly, it is possible to pursue spiritual practices, and appear spiritual, yet be far from God because of my heart’s condition.

Cain’s story serves as a constant reminder for me. It is beneficial for my spiritual vitality to frequently pause and reflect on my attitude by asking key questions. Have I recently attempted to please God by going through half-hearted, empty religious disciplines? Spiritually am I just going through the motions? Have I recently made any heart-felt significant sacrifices to the Lord done in love and out of spirit of joy and deep appreciation for Him? Like Cain toward Able, have I become jealous when I’ve observed other believers walking closely with God?

As we live out our faith as an act of worship, may we do so out of joy and appreciation for what God has done for us. And may the message of the Gospel transform our hearts and give us the ability to truly worship God and approach Him with great delight. Finally, let us frequently examine our own hearts, intentions, and attitudes in order to assure that they are in alignment with God’s desires for us, that we may be able to enjoy our relationship with Him to the fullest.