Pray your New Year is off to a great start. You only have 11 months left…so you better get going! I want to share something from my heart that God truly spoke to me through an experience I had the other night. It’s amazing how God speaks through our everyday lives. Patsy and I attended our oldest grandson’s high school wrestling match at Sparkman. We sat on those bleachers for four hours watching as Chase participated in his three matches. Chase’s performance was outstanding as he pinned all three of his opponents! During the course of the experience that night, I began to watch Chase as he interacted with the other guys.
I noticed his emotions (Chase is a lot like his Papa–pretty emotional) and his demeanor. He was happy and relaxed, just enjoying the evening. He was just hanging out with the guys. He would occasionally come over and sit with his dad and grandparents.
Patsy and I really enjoyed spending that quality time hanging out with Chase. I realized later on that night, that it really wasn’t about Chase’s performance of his matches that excited me the most, but it was just spending time and hanging out with my precious grandson!
The next morning in my devotional time I happen to read Psalms 37:23 which states, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way,” (NKJV) I was so moved by how God spoke to me through that verse and the experience with Chase, that I shared this with my staff during our Wednesday morning devotion time. God really spoke to me that He delights in my everyday life! Not just when I’m performing for Him when I’m preaching, praying, reading His word, singing praises, etc. but God delights in my life while just hanging out and spending quality time with me! God desires to “walk with me and talk with me and tell me I am His own!” I realized I don’t have to perform for God….He delights in me when we’re just hanging out together! This concept truly validated something I’ve learn years ago. That my relationship with God is not about me being religious but developing an intimate relationship with my heavenly Father! God delights in me and loves me just as much when I’m sleeping, golfing, fishing, shopping, etc. as He does when I’m preaching or teaching. Likewise, I delight in and love my grandchildren the same way. They know they don’t have to perform to gain my applause or acceptance, I delight in them in their everyday life!
I Pray this ministers to you as much as it did to me. Here’s another key passage of scripture that speaks of God’s delight and love for His children:
“O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! – Psalm 139:1-6 (NLT)
Always remember that God truly delights in your way! –Pastor Dusty
