Delight is a word we often associate with children. Children delight in almost many things. They notice the wonder in the beauty of flowers, the brilliance of a day, the exuberance of a snowy play day, and the joy of snuggling on the sofa. My wonder this day is about God’s delight. How does God delight in you? How does God delight in us as community, as neighborhoods, and nations? There is so much negativity, fear, temptation in our world. Sometimes it is hard to remember or imagine how God delights in us, collectively and as a unique person. Especially as pandemic rages and thus far endlessly lingers leaving many feeling isolated, fearful, and shirking our personal world around a pod of people with whom we frequently interact. Yet, as we poke our hearts out into the wider world, we hear the echo of God’s Word proclaimed from Genesis after each act of creation. “It is good.” (Genesis 1) God is still creating. There is still hope.
What does it take for you to know, not just with your head, but truly know within your heart an assurance of God’s delight in you? Do historic voices from the past limit your imagination as to how you are God’s delight? Have shame, guilt, or apathy ever hidden God’s delight? Could the busyness of the days, months, and years, keep you so preoccupied that you only have time to glance in God’s direction rather bask in God’s delight? And when you do take time to soak into God’s lavish love of delight for you, what is your response? You are invited this day to relax and rest in God’s delight. God initiates delight of us, and this act of love calls us to respond as we share our delight in love God. Thus, our mobius dance of delight is lived in relationship with God.
The Scripture
The prophet Isaiah makes it very clear that their dance with God has had several missteps between the community and God as the Hebrew people live in exile. The relationship has been strained to the point of people moving away from God’s steps for faithful living. Yet, in the midst of exile, Isaiah proclaims restoration of covenant choreography, between God and the people. Isaiah proclaims the restoration of relationship. A New Zion will rise. No longer with the people be named desolate, “for the Lord will take delight in you,” (Isaiah 62: 1-6, NIV) Hope will be restored. The invitation of call and response to the believing community will again be initiated by God. The cliffhanger of wonder is, how will the folks respond?
Today’s Prayer Practice
The beauty of a dance does not occur all at once. It is in the movement, going from one step to the next which embodies the beauty of patterns, shapes, and extensions into the world. Today we consider the dance steps in which God is leading you, as God delights in you.
To begin, download a dance step pattern. There is a simple one found here for your viewing. Once you download this pattern of steps, invite God into your imagination as you discern how God delights in you. Then consider your response. What concrete action steps will you make to follow God’s delighting lead so that others notice God’s presence through you? On each footprint, write a word or short phrase that invites you into greater delight and love of God for the sake of God’s people. When you finish naming the steps on the dance pattern offer your delight filled commitment in love of God to follow God’s lead into the next moments of life.
Enjoy praying.