Winning feels very good, but there are other parts to my game that even exceed winning. For example, any time I hit a tennis ball my frame of mind changes and I am in a happy place. I love to practice. I enjoy analyzing strategy, technique, and execution to discover small improvements that can, even marginally, add to on-court performance. Laughter after mis-hits and strokes that (too infrequently) send the ball exactly where intended are moments of sheer joy. With this in mind, it occurs to me that no one has ever asked me what truly delights me about tennis.
Similarly, it occurs to me that I have never asked God what delights Him. Not, “what must I do?” but “Lord, tell me what makes you happy, what pleases you, what makes you smile—how may I delight you?”
So, today I will ask.
The Bible gives us insight into this question. A good starting point is Psalm 147:11.
“the Lord delights in those who fear (to revere, hold in awe) him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (NIV)
The many different translations broaden context:
To worship, trust, respect, serve, and wait for his mercy.
Isaiah 1:17 adds “Learn to do good, to be fair, and to help the poor, the fatherless, and widows.”
For simplicity and clarity, we hear Christ say, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27
And we hear God say,
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” Matthew 17:5
All these I know and have heard many times, but this is all mind-stuff and knowledge without truly embracing how God really feels. And so, like a father to a a child, as we are to Him, I will ask “what delights you?” that I might delight Him.
Image credit: ©Pauline Ballet
