Active Theology

“…in your presence there is fullness of joy;
   at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11, ESV)

My five year old daughter is quite the planner. While we are eating dinner she will sometimes notify us that she has a special evening planned for everyone (usually watching her perform a musical). Recently she has been begging Haley to wake up extra early for a little bit of “girl time” before everyone else wakes up. On Friday this week, I made time to be with my daughter and she mentioned how special it was as we put together an afternoon snack that she planned for us. 

Sometimes it’s hard for me to slow down and take in these moments with my kids. When I have a day off from work and I’m home in the afternoon, my mind quickly flips through the tasks that I could cross off my list. 

But then I’m reminded of how my kids just want to be in my presence, and me be in theirs. That’s when I slow down and soak in these precious moments with my kids. 

We all desire to be in the presence of our heavenly Father, whether we realize it or not. Some of us understand this desire and fill it by spending time with God through prayer, worship, and Scripture. Others try to fill this gap in our hearts with “stuff” and it never quite works – the next best thing never quite does the trick. 

This desire is part of who we are. If we go back to the Garden of Eden in Genesis, we see that God’s original design had Him and humanity existing in perfect harmony. Sin caused a separation that we experience on a daily basis, but we are slowly making our way back to that perfect unity. 

Jesus, in a moment of confusion for the disciples, told them, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6, ESV) Jesus is the key that unlocks our access to God, now and forever. 

And as the psalmist says, “in your presence there is fullness of joy”. Through Jesus, we have access to full joy.

So when we are feeling empty, we can go to Jesus. When we keep running from thing to thing with no satisfaction, run to Jesus instead. When we are experiencing hurt, pain, or devastation, meet with Jesus. You’ll be met with joy from the Father.

How do we meet this Jesus? Read Scripture, prayer, sit alone in a quiet space and let the gospel message remind you how much you are loved by your Heavenly Father. 

That’s all my daughter wanted, some alone time with her dad. When I show up and give her that undivided attention, she will often say, “this is the best day ever.”

Go to God, spend time with him, experience His joy. 

Prayer: God, in Your presence is fullness of joy. I know that nothing else can compare. I pray that you would remind me of this truth so that I would come to You and experience your love, compassion, and mercy.

Song: “Psalm 16 (Fullness of Joy)” by Shane and Shane

Craig is a worship pastor at Wallula Christian Church and the creator of Active Theology. He loves coffee dates with his wife, reading, and riding his bike. A few of his favorite things are third wave coffee, vanilla ice cream, and plain t-shirts.