Enjoying the Lord

This past weekend, Abby and I were on the way back from a wedding in Morgan County discussing how our personal time and pursuit of the Lord was going. I shared something with her about my pursuit of the Lord that maybe will be insightful or encouraging for y’all.

When it comes to pursuing the Lord, my heart could not be more aware of how my pursuit of him is a reflection of submission to Him and dependence on Him. When I don’t pursue Him, I’m in the driver’s seat, not Him. When I don’t pursue Him, I am operating on my own strength and ability, not His. Although these two are beautiful and true, I have realized that I am missing one very important piece. My pursuit of the Lord is not just about submission and dependence, but it is also about enjoyment. 

You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures. (Psalm 16:11)

I have been at times limiting something that God intends me to experience knowing Him, which is enjoying knowing Him and experiencing Him as the words of David declare in Psalm 16:11. The irony of this is that at the end of the Bible Recap is a reminder of Tara-Leigh Cobble that “He’s where the joy is.” So when I seek Him in His Word, I am drawing from a fountain of abundant and eternal joy. I am getting an opportunity to know God and enjoy Him. 

The 1647 Westminster Shorter Catechism defines the chief purpose of man is to “glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” 

How much do we miss out if we don’t live in light of this perspective? Now what has gotten in the way of this enjoyment of the Lord for John Roberts? One of the clearest reasons I can see is that enjoyment requires intentionality, and that intentionality requires unrushed time.

There is a necessity to seek the Lord in prayer, meditating on truths about Him, singing truths about him throughout our days, but there is such a benefit to having a time to slow down and intentionality to enjoy the Lord. I am always thinking about the list of things that need to be done, and I need to think more not just about the God I need to submit to and depend on, but about the God I know and can enjoy. 

Take time to write down your prayers and what you’re thankful for to the Lord. Take time to think and meditate on the Scriptures as you read them. These are simple, but it’s not the action inherently, it’s the intentionality in which they are done. Join me in the journey of more intentionally enjoying knowing the Lord and seeking Him. Love you church!

Pastor John