Wanted: Joy and Satisfaction

It feels like I have selfishly drifted while still seeking You, Lord. Once again I have been absorbed in people’s perception of me and forgetting the fullness of love You have for me. I have shamelessly focused on getting instead of giving and it has resulted in still being unsatisfied and joyless. You desire the paying attention to others’ needs as they cross my path. That is where true peace and joy are granted in the most satisfying way. Your Word promises that in doing so, Your light of warmth and comfort will be brightest. Holy, wonderful and good is Your eternal presence. I have everything I need for a joy-filled life because You are here to lead and direct me to that joy-filled life. Here, also, to correct my heart’s attitude and way of seeking the right kind of pleasure and delight found only in walking with You. You give strength to right living activities. Serving the Lord with gladness (Psalm 100:2) comes from serving the Lord. Trying to meet my own needs my own way continually falls short and disappoints. But there are opportunities straight ahead for me to love, help, comfort and also enjoy and spread joy - delighting God and others - and in turn - joy for myself as well.

So today let me let Jesus wash away the sins of yesterday that hold me back. Let me let Him, right now, renew my heart and mind (Romans 12:2). Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power (Ephesians 6:10). Let my gentleness be known to all (Philippians 4:5). Whether in thought, word or deed. For the Lord loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). Do everything as unto the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:31) and let me see my spirit, my living - be lifted up as a loving gift to You.  The Lord will surely bless; make His face to shine, and give complete and comforting peace to me. (Numbers 6:24). For His Word is truth.

Nor anything else

 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

I accepted Christ as a high schooler.  I went to a Campus Life meeting downtown. Afterward, I remember sitting in my bedroom, looking out the window thinking and praying, (Lord, I want Your love.) Since then, I have traveled many paths through this life. Some pretty horrible back roads too. I've walked away from Him and returned more times than I can count. Think Prodigal Son - times five. Or six.

Worldly distractions.

Peer pressures.

Fears over acceptance.

Temptations.

Rebellions.

Arrogance.

Sickness.

Anger at God too.

Seasons of disbelief.

May I please add these to the list of "nor anything else"?

I love You, Lord. But I've had seasons. I've had chapters - where it might have not been so apparent.

Thank You, Jesus, for being better at this than I am. For loving us so completely that nothing can separate us. Nothing.

I know this. Death, life, angels, rulers, things happening now, things that will happen, high things, low things; nothing else in all the world can come between us and God's love in Christ Jesus our Lord. (WE)

I'm absolutely convinced that nothing - nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable - absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. (MSG)

Loved… forever.

Loved

 I still have the teddy bear from my childhood. Decades-old. And it shows. I don't remember what it looked like new. Probably soft, cuddly, and clean. It's been carried. And fought over. Tucked into bed. Looks chewed on even. Sewn up a time or two. Probably washed and washed.

Can’t you just picture it? Fur missing in spots. Wrinkles showing. Gray that won't go away. Still in need of some patching up. Eyes not as clear or as sharp. Been through thick and thin it seems. But loved. Loved to death. That much is apparent. One precious companion for sure. Carried everywhere. Every place. Rescued from dangers. Lost - and found numerous times. Someone went to great lengths to keep it. And not tossed away for something newer. There was something about journeying together for so long. Love runs deep.

Are you feeling decades old? Do you feel like you've been through the wringer? Outside not as smooth? Scars from a few sewings? Gray that won't go away? A little stiff? 

Know this, my friends:

"I have loved you very deeply,” says the Lord. Malachi 1:2 (TLB)

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love..." Jeremiah 31:3

Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you... Isaiah 43:4

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4

... as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you. Isaiah 62:5

I know God is holding you

in the palm of His hand,

and no matter how old you are today,

He'll always know you as His child. (author unknown)