For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation. Psalm 149:4
At the beginning of 2011 our church declared this was the year of God’s pleasure. At first when I heard this I thought about blessings and promises of God. I thought maybe this year if I did more for God I would find more pleasure in Him. But that was not the case. Instead this year I learned that God is pleased with me not because of what I did but God is pleased with me because of who I am His daughter.
Discovering God’s pleasure has been life changing for me. For so many years I viewed Christianity as working and doing right by God. As long as I did those things then He would bless me. If I worked then I would be accepted. Unfortunately, this year I have not worked as hard as I have in the past or produced a bunch of good works that would qualify be as having grown as a Christian. Instead I have spent this year learning that God loves me and accepts me just as I am.
It has not been easy seeing me as God sees me. At times I have shied away from God’s pleasure and fallen into the trap of condemning myself. Time and time again God has spent time expressing His love for me not based on what I have done. God has shown me He values relationship over work. He would rather me spend intimate moments with Him lavishing His love on me than me producing a bunch of work and saying “look what I did.” God has asked me to look to Him.
I did not accomplish everything I set out to do this year. But I am not the same. Something has shifted and changed in my life. I no longer see my relationship with God as to something that has to be earned; or supported by the work that I do in the church or ministry.
I am not a servant doing my master’s business, but I am a daughter continuing the work of my Father’s business. My goals and dreams have changed. I want to see the same things God wants to see happen. I no longer judge myself by past, my failures, or shortcomings. You see I am the beautiful daughter of the Most High. He saved me and He changed me. The Lord takes great pleasure in me, and I take great pleasure in Him.
2011 was a great year, for the first time I experienced the true pleasure of God He found in me. He brought me to beauty from ashes.
Reflections 