There she lay in her beautiful box. A two-foot bride doll dressed in a white chiffon, pearl-studded wedding gown with matching veil. Her short-cropped, curly brown hair fell softly around her delicate face; her pink, plump skin felt amazingly soft; and her movable eyelids lined with thick black lashes opened and closed with her changing positions.
The bride doll had perfectly shaped lips and crystal-blue eyes that appeared strangely real. She was truly the most beautiful doll I had ever received in my six-year-old life.
My uncle knew my infatuation with being a bride one day, so he gave me this lovely gift for my birthday. However, there was one problem. My mother wouldn’t let me play with her. “You’ll have to wait until you are older,” she stated. “She was very expensive. We’ll just keep her in the box until you’re big enough to take care of her.”
So, the doll stayed in her box, safely stowed away in a dresser drawer. Occasionally I’d open the drawer to stroke her lovely hair or straighten up her lacy gown, but never did I take her out and actually play with her. Now that I am an adult, I don’t even know what became of her.
Did you know that God wants us to enjoy our relationship with Him? Our faith is not something to keep in a box for safe keeping. Or something to be experienced on Sundays and Holy Days. It is meant to be enjoyed! Everyday!
Our relationship with Jesus is certainly a holy one, but it is also meant to be a joyful one.
David wrote, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart,”(Psalm 37:4).
If you’re like me, I tend to focus on the second part of that verse, “the desires of your heart.”
But let’s think about the first part, “delight yourself in the LORD.”
What does it mean to delight in someone? It means to love, adore, and enjoy being around that person. Webster’s Dictionary says “delight” means to “take pleasure in” or “to give keen enjoyment” or to “give joy or satisfaction to.” To enjoy God is to enjoy being in His presence.
Timothy wrote “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment,” (1 Timothy 6:17 NIV emphasis added).
C.S. Lewis once said that most Christians lack “merriment.” I like that word, “merriment.” Just moving the words across my lips is fun. And I think Lewis is right. We lack merriment and we don’t expect it. Many Christians look like they’ve been weaned on a dill pickle. My goodness, if there is anyone who should exude merriment, it is a person who knows Jesus as Savior and Lord. We, above all people, have something to be merry about!
The first statement in the Westminster Confession, a church document written back in 1646, states that man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Enjoy Him! Just as He takes delight in you, He longs for you to take delight in Him.
God doesn’t want us to simply have a religion in our lives—a box with His name stamped on it. He wants us to have a relationship with Him—a life with His fingerprints all over it!
So, here’s a question for us to ponder today: Are we enjoying God? Do we long to spend time with Him? Smile when we think of Him? Have fun talking to Him? Take pleasure in knowing Him? Do we enjoy being in His presence?
Thinking back on the lovely gift that was never enjoyed, I’m reminded of the gifts that God has given to each one of us. If we keep those gifts tucked away in a hidden place until we feel like we’re old enough to take proper care of them, or mature enough to master them, we’ll miss many years of the enjoyment He intended all along. Yes, the gifts may get tattered and torn in the process but enjoying them will bring the Giver great pleasure. After all, our enjoyment is His great delight. That’s what gifts are for.
Dear Father, sometimes I get way too stuffy in my faith. Jesus went to parties. David danced with joy. Mary sang her heart out. Today, I simply want to enjoy Your presence and delight in Your love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
What is one of your favorite ways to enjoy being with God? Leave a comment and let’s share.
Do you long for something more in your relationship with God? The good news is that “something more” does not mean “doing more.” God longs to show you glory moments when He makes His presence known in your life. In my book, A Sudden Glory: God’s Lavish Response to Your Ache for Something More, I show you how to experience God’s presence in the middle of your busy, messy day.
P.S. Thank you so much for the orders you place through SharonJaynes.com. Those purchases make the weekly devotions possible!
Comments 17
One of my favorite ways of being with God is by singing gospel hymns directly from my Songs of the Kingdom hymnal each night before I go to bed. Hallelujah!
Psalm 100:1-“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.”
Author
I love singing too!
Driving alone, enjoying the handiwork of God’s spring blooms, trees and especially the glorious colors of it all! Thanking him and smiling the whole way at the realization He allows me to see it all! I love telling Him how happy His handiwork makes me!!
Author
Love spring flowers!
What a poignant story about the doll…. I’ve lovingly inherited gorgeous Limoge china and antique glasswork over the years. I proudly use it, not just display it. When setting a table or placing flowers in a fabulous cut work vase, I fondly remember my grandmothers, my mom, and a dear treasured friend who’ve lived beautiful Godly lives before me. I do not keep it pristinely unused in the china hutch as so many do. I believe that’s how our faith is, to be used and displayed and especially enjoyed. Thank you for your devotional… it truly resonated with me!
Author
Beautiful picture.
Thankyou so much for this message. I have been on a pity pot because of some health issues and a troubled marriage. Thankfully, my husband and I are working in this issue. He’s not saved and has anger issues. So, it presents road blocks here and there. I must remember to rekindle that joy in the Lord.
Author
I get it!
I enjoy singing about the Lord.
Author
Me too!
1st thing when I get up ready to start my day I go to the front door & have my morning conversation with my heavenly Father. When I feel the warmth of the sun I know that is him embracing me in His arms & telling me I will be with you through the day & the days that are cloudy I know he is still holding me.
Ladies, Walk in light of the incredible grace of God working in & through your life today. ✝️🙏❤️
What a wonderful devotion today. So uplifting Thank you, Sharon
Author
Thank you!
I enjoy being with God in so many ways. I look forward to mornings with Jesus — the time I spend doing devotions and reading His Word. This sets my whole day off on the right foot!! On mornings when I’m rushed out of the house early, I miss that time with Him, so it gets done later, but I don’t always have the patience as I do on those precious mornings with Him. I look forward to church on Sunday mornings — worship time brings me into a state of joy and contentment, and I look for ways I can bless others who are there.
I love being in the presence of God through nature. Just the sounds of birds singing, the smell of trees, flowers and rain make my eyes flow with tears of joy and appreciation! How awe inspiring he painted the world with such beauty! His blessings I do not deserve but am eternally grateful! 🙏
I became a Christian at the tender age of 8 and from that point on I knew his presence was with me though there were times I strayed to go my own way. Faithful as He is to his children He would pursue His little lamb and bring me back to his fold. I have always loved horses and I have been able to live that dream for 26 years now. One of my most favorite ways to be with my Lord is when I’m riding my horse through the countryside surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation. It doesn’t get much better than that!
I enjoy being with God, by sitting quietly reading the Bible, or one of my other spiritual readings. I also, like to close my eyes & listened to spiritual podcast who talks about the word of God. While doing these things, I drink a rich cup of coffee & have my favorite scents of oil coming
out of both my oil diffusers. I also, look at my lit sign in my living room
that says, Pray more, worry less! 😊