Psalm 84:10 “A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else!
Have you ever pondered the desires of God? I will admit to investing much time in grasping my own, but what about God’s? Does He have desires? After all, isn’t He God and doesn’t He already possess everything and lack nothing? Yet, I have come to realize what the Great I AM desperately craves: our unsolicited, pure and deep love.
Today, I boast six very rambunctious grandsons and do you know what Nana-moments I cherish most? It is when my front door opens and my grandsons come bounding in as fast as their little-boy legs will carry them, wrap their arms around my neck, and plant their wet kisses on my face. These moments of unsolicited love are priceless.
But suppose when that front door opens, my grandsons are reluctant to give me any love? Now, I am sure their parents would instruct them to walk over and give Nana a hug and kiss despite their objections, but would it be the same?
Consider this for a moment: If hugs and kisses from my grandsons are what my heart desires most, shouldn’t I be happy with either scenario since both deliver just that? Then why am I saddened over the second scene? The answer lies with the heart behind their actions. You see, genuine, unsolicited love is absent, and in its place are hugs and kisses extended out of necessity.
Do you think this might be how God feels when we worship and serve Him out of obligation instead of desire? Does He grieve when we approach our prayer life from a sense of duty instead of a deep longing to commune with Him? Might He feel saddened when we serve at church or in the community out of the guilt of saying “no,” in place of serving out of adoration to the one who gave so much for us? (Yikes, pardon me for a moment while I go change into sturdy shoes, for I am stepping all over my own toes!) The fact is, God deeply desires our unsolicited love in response to His love shown us through the gift of His precious Son.
I sometimes day-dream of heaven and an eternity of worshipping Him. If heaven is filled with all my favorite things, I imagine it a bit differently than John describes in Revelation 21. In place of gold and precious jewels, I can imagine a heaven constructed of apple fritters and coffee. But, in whatever form heaven is revealed, the Psalmist says one day with God will be better than a thousand of our very best days here on earth all combined. Imagine taking every birthday, wedding day, holiday, snow day, (can you tell I was a school teacher with that one?) anniversary, and Christmas all wrapped up into one package. Not even a thousand of these can compare to one day with God!
Today, I find myself in my father’s words. He once told me during an extended visit with my three small children, “I love my grandchildren. I love to see headlights as they come, and I love to see tail-lights as they go. Then I hit the couch and rest up for the next visit.” Yes, headlights and tail-lights, both bearing unsolicited love, are indeed priceless!
Father God, open our eyes to how we can adore you above all else.
Blessings,
Rita Cochrane