My Paisley Chair

It’s been said that “Life is a stage”. If it is, I think it is meant to be played to the audience of One. Am I playing to grandstands, seeking the approval of many, or is there a singular face in the crowd that I look to for approval?”  The crowd will always look on and want to give a review!

My life is not a perfect performance by any means. I forget lines, miss the mark, step into the wrong scene. From the back row of the auditorium, it will be obvious that I am a work in progress.

I am ever so grateful that perfection is not required to get a smile or applause from someone who loves me. Can I get an “AMEN!”?

I’m in good company with the Apostle Paul who said, I’m not already perfect, but I press on.” Phil 3:12-14 I’m reaching for the prize “of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

I’ve not arrived, but I’m giving it my best shot and pressing on! 

Reciprocal Delight

Today, I need encouragement to lighten up on myself. Maybe I should consider for a moment, the concept of Reciprocal Delight. I delight myself in Him AND He is delighted with me. I delight to do Your will, O God.

God said, “Seek my Face” and I responded, “Your face will I seek”. When scripture says that in His presence is fullness of joy, doesn’t that mean BOTH of us are joy filled? Ps 16:11

Dear Lord… You said, You delight in those whose steps are ordered and with those whose glory is in knowing You. (Check and Check!) You rejoice over me with singing. What an amazing thing … I am a delight to God’s heart! (Ps 37:23, Jer 9:23 & Zeph 3:17)

I wonder… when I come into His presence do His eyes dance with pleasure?  Can I imagine that He is captivated by ramblings of the details of my life and enjoys hearing all that concerns me? 

It is NOT too much to think that:

• My Father thinks I’m a keeper!
• Jesus is just crazy about me!
• The Holy Spirit has fun living in my heart!

Ps: 34:3 “Oh magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together.”

What does the Bible say? (scripture references)

Phil 3:12-14 “Not that I have already attained or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Text

Ps 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

PS 37:23 “The steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord: and He delights in his way.”

Jer 9:23 “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.”

Zeph 3:17 “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”

Until next time…

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