No matter how long I am a Christian, I find it hard to shake the image of God as a being that is unapproachable. One who is somewhere "out there". Who doesn’t really interact with us. Who is not really interested in me, as an individual.
Sure, he likes his creation, as a whole, because its pretty cool. He doesn’t really want us to completely destroy it, so, my subconscious keeps telling me, he just puts up with me. Satisfied to let me be, as long as I don't mess things up too much.
At times like this I feel like a by-product.
Like something that is an accidental result of the creation, or the fall.
Days when that master of lies whispers in my ear that if creation remained good, I would not be here. Or if it had remained good, it would be me who messed it all up.
But then I run across an image like this from Zephaniah.
“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” ” (Zephaniah 3:17, NIV)
He will take great delight in me.
He will comfort/quiet me with his love.
He will rejoice over me with singing.
He does the same for you!
If there ever was a contest for one of the most amazing verses in the Bible, this would be right up there. This is not the image many of us have of God. But this is how Zephaniah describes God.
God doesn’t just put up with you.
He really likes you.