The Source of Pleasure
Soul of the Rose by John William Waterhouse
“Whom have I in Heaven but You?
And I have no delight or desire on earth beside You.”
~ Psalm 73:25
——-
You will show me the path of life;
in Your presence is fullness of joy,
at Your right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
~ Psalm 16:11
Why is it so easy to forget - or worse, to disbelieve – that God is the Source of all true pleasure? That God made enjoyment itself and made us to share the experience of enjoyment with Him? The lines of a song I’ve loved come wandering through my thoughts as I write this: “everything good comes from Jesus.” Every thing good. The Psalmist here knew the everlasting truth of it.
The need to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever is built into us so deeply that it permeates our cells as well as our souls. We are made to enjoy His goodness. His goodness expresses itself in countless forms. But what ever form it comes in — the smell of new roses, or fresh baked bread, the smile of someone loved, the beauty of summer flowers, or a well crafted book, the feel of clean sheets or a warm shower, the kiss of a spouse or a child, the energy and freedom of riding a bike or walking briskly and feeling your blood flowing strong and quick, the sound of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons or Irish harps or African drums, or hearing your spouses footsteps coming in the house after a long day, or laughter with friends or the sense of pleasure in something well done — goodness itself is from God and we are made to enjoy it.
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I feel as though the reader will know you so intimately as they read this post, considering all of the things that bring you joy are listed here. I count it joy to know you because you share the joy you experience in all of these things and become contagious to those around you. Even if you don’t believe it in your mind, listen to your heart and know in your spirit that God has gifted you with the ministry of joy, not despite of your pain, but with regard to your pain because He wants you to truly know the difference between the two. Only then can you really understand who is desperately in need of joy and when to share it.
On of the most influential books I have ever read was “Desiring God” by John Piper which starts with the Westminster Catechism: What is the Chief end of man?: Man’s chief and highest end is to Glorify God and fully to enjoy Him forever. I went to the conference and when I heard that one statement, my journey of joy took a ride on the most thrilling experience of my life. Finally I was free to be a child again, which I had fully missed. Now I was able to start learning how to enjoy Him for simply being who He is, I AM. I didn’t need lofty words, only to invite His presence and bask in it, like Daniel in the throne room. That is why I hold soaking so dear is because it was another revelation of that Glory he wants to dispense to me. I would rather invite people in and experience it than describe or convince anyone.
So…I leave you with well wishes, heart felt joy and all the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon me I give to you.
Love,
Bryon