The bright sun peeked through as the locks of her hair bounced. She twirled before her audience as though she were a world renowned ballerina. Her onlookers radiated with pure pleasure at the sight of her playful innocence. Stealing the scene, her younger brother bounded in with robust rambunctiousness. He blazed through the yard, picked up a make believe sword and thrust it into the air, piercing his imaginary foes. Then just as quickly as he appeared, he disappeared to embark on adventures known only to him.
The day’s burdens and responsibilities abated as the children gave expression to the nature God placed within them. Such an unbridled performance and abandoned exploration was their play. Sensations of sheer delight overtook each scene as they meandered through the depths of my imagination.
As the scene faded my mind began to drift heavenward, realizing we have a heavenly Father who is ever present in the audience of our lives. I am overcome with awe as my mind attempts to process the warmth of His admiring gaze. Then just as quickly my spirit prays …
In what do You delight, Abba? How might we captivate Your thoughts and flood Your heart with simple pleasure as though we were once again uninhibited children? When we no longer prance about with youthful glee, do You still delight in us?
True to His nature of abounding love and gentle kindness, the Father reached to the depths of my soul and whispered:
“… I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 9:24 niv
Longing for His affection and approval, seeking His admiration, I began to question just how I might be a part of His work in exercising kindness, justice and righteousness on earth. With little effort I soon realized His expectation of me. Then my mind began to reel in sorrow as understanding washed over me.
I am in the place of my assignment. This is His desire for me.
Then in the depths of my mind I frantically cried out:
This is not the place where I wanted to be. This is not where I belong. Favor has eluded me. Hardships have hounded me. Where are the delightful twirling and exciting adventures awaiting my discovery?
How could this possibly be where You want me to be? Surely not this, Lord!!!?
The revelation was heavy. Wrapping snake-like fingers around my already heavy heart, the reality of my circumstances burst my dreams leaving behind a million shattered pieces. Broken, crushed and overcome with sadness, I finally gasp at the assignment before me. This is my assignment – right where I am. This is where He has appointed me to be. This is where I am to exercise kindness, justice and righteousness on the earth.
My daily routines, my responsibilities, these are the places He has set before me. This is where I am to demonstrate His kindness, distribute justice and display righteousness on the earth. As my breathing became shallow and my heartbeat raced, I began to plead:
The ask is too great, Abba. I have come to You like a child, tender in heart, playful and seeking Your affection. But You have assigned me to a place that is dangerous. It often feels like a battle that never ends. How can I possibly meet with success? Will anyone even notice when I act kindly, advocate for justice or demonstrate righteousness?
Then each moment ticked by with solemn isolation.
There was nothing but stillness, followed by silence.
Eventually, my heartbeat and breathing returned to a normal pace as I remembered His promise to always be with me, providing for my every need. And in His Word the promise of hope and a future began to sooth frayed nerves. His promise stands – even when the place of assignment is marked with undesirable circumstances.
Objections silenced and agitation stilled, there was only one thing left to do. And the time had come. It was time to decide what would be. Would I turn away, sullen and stressed, wallowing in disappointment and disillusionment? Or would I seek His face, determined to look into His eyes knowing it is from there that He would guide me?
I want the childlike wonder of an adoring admirer. Doesn’t everyone? He clearly shared that in which He delights: kindness, justice and righteousness on earth. He had graciously given direction, but the choice was mine. The choice is yours, too, when your experiences are contrary to the twirling beauty and daring explorer. If we truly want Him to delight in us, we need only to put action to His Word.
Does His delight mesmerize our imagination? Are we compelled by His kindness to follow wherever He may lead?
Ending the conflict, once more I prayed:
Abba, lead us by Your Spirit to actions and attitudes that will result in kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for we know in these You delight. May we find pleasure in the tasks as though we were Your daughters twirling about in a world that needs to see the beauty of Your ways and sons embarking on quests to advance Your kingdom – even in our present assignments, whether painful or pleasant. Amen.
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
Psalm 32:8 kjv
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:1-3 niv
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like: Artesian Zeal, now available on Amazon.com. Included are 26 similar writings, short stories if you will. Each chapter is titled with only one word, one for each letter of the English alphabet, along with reflective prompts and Scriptures for pondering. Enjoy Artesian Zeal as truths of God’s Word are reviewed through the lens of daily happenings.
https://warrioroftheword.faith/Tanja_Dufrene_books_on_Amazon.com
[…] had called me to the work I was doing. My task was to do it to the best of my ability. But I was not responsible for the results, the outcome or the performance that others might measure to quantify effectiveness. Therefore, […]