Divine delight

‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. (Luke 12:32-33)

Divine delight

Every thought of a vengeful, punitive god vanishes, banished by the joy of these words. We understand little of God if we do not smile, feeling the solicitous warmth of Jesus’ heart as he speaks of God’s pleasure.

We take pleasure in those we love, the antics of our children when they are small, their joys and accomplishments as they grow, celebrations with friends and family alike. So why not God? Why not the Father of Lights from whom all things come?

God delights to give us the kingdom, a gracious space of unlimited welcome, where our hearts release all anxious striving and defensiveness, where healing replaces hate, where death holds no fear, where exuberance fills space once occupied by guilt and shame and love is the air we breathe.

The Holy One smiles at the joy of our hearts as we are delivered from doldrums of life into the kingdom of his presence. No less than we, certainly, God takes pleasure giving gifts to beloved ones. And certainly, we are that. Exactly.

The treasures of the kingdom we know in present time are shadows of what will be. Hold these treasures close in your heart. Don’t turn away.

You need the gracious space of the kingdom more than anything else you treasure. So release your grip, your fascination and desire for anything that distracts from the gifts God pleased to give.

Do this, and joy will be yours. I suspect God will be no less pleased.

Pr. David L. Miller