GodReflection: What Make God Smile?
I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight” (Psalms 16:3).

You as an image bearer have experienced this.

Those of us who have served in the role of parent know what it is like. You probably have seen it happen with a friend. It is certainly present in the workplace. If you are a teacher it brings delight to your ears and to your heart.

To hear a yes when a request is made—especially when you know a yes will bless the one who articulates the affirmation—can bring a deep joy to the soul of the one who asked for allegiance.

Let me walk us through a foundational concept.

But first an illustration. The recent death of a friend for over four and a half decades has been on my mind.

Often friendships are rooted in common bonds built over a period of time. Friendships form tight when a proverbial mountain is scaled together. These friendships can endure a lifetime unaffected by distance.

On the occasions when presence is possible no small talk is needed to reconnect. Knowledge of each other is so deep that the conversation begins from where it left off. Truth is we knew each other so well that I could envision his smile in certain situations without the need to be present.

I find in my attempt to know God and His nature I draw conclusions from the tenor of the entire Scripture rather than holdout an expectation of the discovery of a specific chapter and verse for every nuance of the Holy.

I cannot come to know God by “cherry picking” my way through the Bible. To only pick through the text and select passages on God’s love distorts His Personhood.

Likewise, to read just the judgement verses without the greater context of His personality turns me into a legalist who attempts to build the weight of life on eggshells without breaking them.

Scripture is foundational. However, I must read Scripture as a whole to learn the consequences of good and bad choses. I want to know Who God is and what The Holy expects of me.

Through that process I begin to perceive the Father’s loving requests. He makes each entreaty for my benefit to help me mirror more closely His image and to aid in my successful navigation of planet earth.

The deeper I know Him the easier it is to see in my mind’s eye His reaction. I can envision His disappointment, His compassion, yes and even His smile.

I doubt that there is a greater joy to the ear of God than to hear the word yes. The more I come to know Him the easier it is to imagine His smile each time a yes is spoken from the heart of one of His created ones. Isn’t it our yes and His smile that builds a friendship over time?

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells
A GodReflection on God Smiles Each Time He Hears Yes

Gary@Godreflection.org
http://www.GodReflection.org
http://www.MakeYourVisionGoViral.com