Monday, August 13, 2012

The Jackson Chronicles Part 8 -- Our Father’s Good Pleasure

(Our grandson Jackson, now 6, continues to provide through timely comments insight into the heart and way of God. And don’t’ even get me started about Emma!) 

Our grandchildren Jackson and Emma stayed with us this past weekend. Yesterday afternoon, we had homemade pizza for lunch. While watching me prepare it, Jackson mentioned that he really enjoyed our version of pizza. “That’s great, Jack,” I responded. “I really like making it for you.” 

“And I like eating it!” Jack said in his inimitable way, without a moment’s hesitation. 

This led me to think about which of us actually receives the most joy from the experience of preparing and consuming the pizza. I have no doubt that Jackson enthusiastically loves his part, the eating part. However, knowing that he loves it causes in me a perhaps greater delight in the preparation and provision side of the culinary equation. There’s just something about doing something for someone you love that causes our hearts to rejoice in a way that nothing else elicits. 

Such an emotional sensibility originates outside ourselves. 

 “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

 God’s heart beats with untold measures of generosity and the determination to lavish upon His creation “every good gift and every perfect gift” (James 1:17). Indeed, “it is more blessed to give than to receive” because our Creator so loves to provide, even as the Psalmist declared, “Thou openest Thine hand and satisfieth the desire of every living thing” (Acts 20:35; Psalm 145:16). Originally created in His image, humanity thus finds that the bells of our own hearts ring brightest and most beautifully when they peal for the blessing of others rather than our own pleasure. Charity… seeketh not her own” (I Corinthians 13:5). 

The Bible unequivocally declares God’s pleasure in giving. We do well to echo Jackson’s sentiments that we enjoy receiving. Furthermore, we praise the heart and hand of the One who “giveth to all life and breath and all things” (Acts 17:25). He makes provision for us through the most sublime treasure chest imaginable, that is, the blessing of the One who bears the prints of nails upon hands and feet to tell us just how much God loves to give… 

 “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

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