Bling

“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.””
‭‭Zephaniah‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭

Her touch was reverent.

Small fingers trailed over the rhinestones in my necklace, tracing the curve of their setting.

Again and again throughout the day, back she came. Her face was a picture of pure delight – she grinned like someone who holds the key to a secret treasure that only she had access to. If she had broken into song, I wouldn’t have been the least bit surprised.

It was formal day.

Knowing this particular little well, I had counted on a positive reaction to my jewelry choice for the occasion.

She loves bling.

Her face lights up. She gets bubbly and animated. She just has to touch. Enjoy. Nay, delight in beautiful things.

Let me tell you, I was not disappointed.

Now, imagine you are the bling, and God the ‘delightee’.

Having a hard time with that picture?

I know. It’s a bit much.

And yet, look at these incredible words.

He will take delight in you with gladness.

He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

His love will calm all your fears.

Whoa.

This couldn’t be further from the picture of stern authoritarian, ethereal figure of doom and judgement and finger pointing that I conjured up as a kid.

Now, don’t get me wrong. God is our judge. He’s the only one qualified to get the heavy task of justice right. It’s just that the judge figure needs to be balanced with this picture of delight.

As in, a huge grin of enjoyment when God thinks about you. When He plans something lovely for you. As He works out His detailed plans on your behalf.

That kind of love is just astonishing, isn’t it?

Imagine living as though you knew, were completely convinced that you have that kind of value to the King of the Universe.

Would your head lift? How would you walk into a room? What would your self-talk sound like? How free would you be, how released would you be to love and appreciate the good in others if you understood the gift in yourself?

Now, that’s a lot of bling.

Open your heart to the knowledge that you are a delight to your Maker with me?

Father, this is a truth that is hard to take in! Help us to value ourselves the way You value us, and shift our internal measurement of ourselves until it matches Yours! Thank You for Your incredible love. Amen.