But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself. John 12:32.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4.

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:24.

This morning in our Friday Retreat, we played a game of the $25,000 Pyramid where we were each given a category and we supplied the clues to that category for others to guess. It was a window into our participation into God’s love for us that includes His deepest desire for our joy. Do we fear our deepest desires are selfish? Do we believe God wants for us things we ourselves do not want? Does He really want us to do the things we truly, deeply don’t want to do? And have we ever asked ourselves what we can do to bring joy to God? Do we want to? Are our desires and God’s desires for joy connected in a way of participation rather than in a way of must do’s? What would bring you joy? Does it include God? Does He include us? As I read over this again, I realized I asked much different questions than the psalmist asked below and that’s because I am learning in the company of our God and those who love Him and it is truly wonderful!

In our psalm, Psalm 77, the psalmist Asaph wrote in deep distress, not in joy. I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me…When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted…I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint…You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak…v. 1-4. Have you ever been too troubled to say even one word in prayer to God? That’s when I tell God I just need to be still with Him, I just want to be with Him in silence and it doesn’t take long for God’s comfort to be with me. Asaph begins to question everything. Will the Lord reject forever?…Will he never show his favor again?…Has his unfailing love vanished forever?…Has his promise failed for all time?…Has God forgotten to be merciful?…Has he in anger withheld his compassion?…v. 7-9. And as happens when we go to God in prayer, our thoughts begin to soften. We begin to contemplate. We remember when we have needed God and He has been there. Asaph remembers the big events – the miracles of long ago and the leading of Israel out of slavery, v. 10-20. How about our own encounters that are not of old? The first time we knew God loved us and intervened when no one else was aware? The first time we felt His loving embrace comforting our hearts sore with fears? Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. v. 19. Wow.

I thought about how often Scripture talks about ancient Israel led out of slavery and I couldn’t help but think of us today and what slavery we need to be led out of. How about the closed rooms of our hearts where we believe God is not; and if He is, He’s all about punishment? Ancient Israel was a type for all of us. You know how wonderful it is to open a window and let fresh, cool breezes blow in? To hear birdsong and the rustle of leaves outside? Our souls, our hearts, our eyes, our ears and our minds need that window of us opened to our Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit, who loves us and wants our joy to be complete and He wants to share that delight with us and – joy of joys – He wants us to share that with one another! Our God delights! Our God shares! Our God loves! Open the windows of your hearts wide and share with our God and find deep abiding joy in participating with Him because we are invited! And as you enjoy Him, celebrate that joy with others with Him and watch and experience how our love will be deeper still! A window into Participation!