Moved to Tears
For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. Zephaniah 3:17
Insight
I'm a guy, and I cry every time I watch The Notebook. There I said it. I'm glad I finally got that secret off my chest. I know there will be some who demand I turn in my Man Card on the spot for showing emotion, especially for a "chick flick." But, the love story moved me...well, to tears.
The waterworks happen quite often when I'm watching a poignant film. If it tugs at my heartstrings, I can quickly become a quivering mess. Now, put in a movie about a man's relationship with his dog (cough...The Art of Racing in the Rain...cough), and I'm a goner.
There's something about relationships and love that, at their core, moves us. Love isn't supposed to be stationary, sterile, or static. When a genuine connection exists, it results in emotion, movement, and togetherness.
Today's passage provides us with a glimpse into this reality.
The author speaks about God's heart for us, and it's anything but hands-off and distant. God is near and in our midst. He is head over heels in love with us.
He enjoys being with us so much that He desires to make His presence known in every area of our lives. The mighty work He hopes to accomplish through us requires proximity and closeness. Therefore, God wants nothing more than to do life with us.
We aren't an inconvenience or an afterthought. When God looks at us, He doesn't see a failure, a screw-up, or a lost cause. You're not a mistake to Him, but a person with a purpose and potential. God rejoices over you with gladness.
I'll repeat that for the people in the back...God REJOICES over YOU with GLADNESS.
If only we could see ourselves the way God does. It would revolutionize how we spend our days, tackle our circumstances and engage in the places we call home. Because we move God, we can move into the world around us with hope, security, and purpose.
Reflection
Do you believe God rejoices and delights over just being with you? Why or why not? What makes you answer in the way that you do?
Prayer
God, reveal to me Your nearness. I desire to rest in Your presence, knowing You are always present and by my side. I want Your love to quiet my heart and drown out the noise and lies of the enemy. Fill me with Your joy so much that it overflows in everything I do and say. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.