Delight
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him. Psalms 37:23
Insight
Can having a sense of delight in the Lord be an active choice? In our culture, with our wayward hearts, is it truly possible to find delight, joy, and peace each day?
For the majority of the years I have participated in My One Word, my selections centered on my battle against the debilitating anxiety that has plagued me for most of my life. Peace. Focus. Vision. Steadfast. Rest. Trust. Each word was deeply rooted in my effort to fight through the challenges that the force of anxiety presented. Each year brought a new word that challenged and inspired my perspective about what walking with God could look like. Keenly aware that anxiety will always attempt to surface, I have discovered a refreshed level of hope in, and love for, my Savior through this process.
A significant element of this battle made me lean heavily on the heart of worship. Worship played a vital part in my daily effort. It was during this time that I learned that worship is a weapon. It calls for a posture of surrender that redirects our hearts' attention and minds' affection towards our Savior. Each day, when fear, worry, doubt, and insecurity all lined up to take a swing at me, I would focus and fight. I would choose to remain steadfast in my pursuit with a greater vision for who God has called me to be. For years, I tried to push through on my own. As a result, my anxiety created a spiritual stiffness that distracted me from pursuing spiritual disciplines and cultivating spiritual character. Keeping a single word in front of me provided me with a tool and lens to see how God could use me to do His will while also pursuing freedom from my anxiety. Each year brought greater perspective, clarity, and hope.
Sometimes we try to do the right thing the wrong way, or we think being better is better. We can enter a new year with excitement and ambition, creating a list of goals only to realize the complexity we have created for ourselves. We attempt to accomplish numerous things rather than setting our sights on the foundational purpose of becoming the people God calls us to be. We get distracted by projecting who we want to be through our assessment of who we think we should be. God doesn't call us to become who we think we should be; He calls us to become the people He has already declared we are.
As I look back on my trajectory, I can appreciate the journey and the part My One Word played in my formation process. It has become a tool for staying focused and aligned in a single direction. But, it's not THE tool; it's A tool that helps drive a spiritual discipline used to develop into the person God intends for us to become.
For 2023, I chose the word "delight" to center my attention on the present and shift my perspective of worship. I want to delight in the Lord's presence, mercy, and grace. Rather than press on relying on my strength, I hope to rest in His goodness and unending love for us. When fear comes or my thoughts give way, I hope this word will redirect my gaze so I can raise my head, breathe deep, and remind myself that God is good and I can delight in His presence.
Fear and anxiety stand in our way of becoming. Maybe that resonates with where you are, or perhaps you have a different set of challenges. Regardless of where you find yourself today, there is much to be distracted by in our culture and world. We all experience an array of distractions in our daily lives that can prevent us from delighting in God's presence. Too often, we get distracted by the pursuit of the day or the goal of self-improvement. We continually pursue things that aim to move our lives in a direction acceptable to others. We aim to be better. As one who subscribed to this method for some time, I realized something was missing. What I was missing was a process.
Perhaps that's where you find yourself this morning. Maybe you're facing a challenge you feel is too much to handle. An ailing body or a broken heart. A barrier that keeps your mind swirling. Perhaps fear is conquering faith. I pray that you will be encouraged by the small steps forward and the opportunity to pursue a deeper faith. There is no perfect formula. There is just an invitation to come. How we get there requires a step forward. I hope today you find encouragement that our God takes delight in each step we take that brings us closer to Him.
Reflection
Where do you find yourself wrestling with fear and anxiety?
How could delighting in God and worshipping Him redirect and reframe your focus in these areas?
Prayer
God, when challenges come our way, may we remember that You use them to expose our hearts - not to condemn, but to graciously display Your faithfulness. In those moments when fear and anxiety shout, may we worship even louder, declaring our dependency on You alone. Let us delight in Your presence, knowing that You are with us always. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.
JJ Clark, Creative Director, wrote today's devotional.