Are You Missing Out on Life’s Greatest Joy?
Enjoying God: The Ultimate Benefit
Do you truly enjoy God and His presence in your life? It’s a question worth pondering, as so often we get caught up in the routines and rituals of faith, without experiencing the genuine joy and fulfillment that comes from a vibrant relationship with our Creator.
The truth is, we all have different things that bring us enjoyment in life – a cool breeze on a hot day, that first sip of coffee in the morning, or the long-awaited vacation that allows us to finally exhale. These moments of pleasure are good, but they pale in comparison to the deep, lasting satisfaction that can only be found in God.
Yet, for many of us, genuinely enjoying God isn’t typically at the top of our priority list. Even when we gather together in church, we may give the expected answer – “Yes, I know I’m supposed to enjoy God” – without it being a lived reality. It’s easy to appreciate the trappings of faith, like community, shared values, and a sense of purpose, without truly delighting in God Himself.
The good news is that enjoying God is not something we achieve through our own efforts or perfection. It’s a gift, made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as a friend might give you their Netflix password, allowing you to enjoy shows and movies without any work on your part, so too has God granted us access to His presence and blessings through the finished work of His Son.
At the heart of this truth is the concept of atonement – the reconciliation and restoration of peace between God and humanity, which was made possible through Christ’s willing sacrifice on the cross. By taking our sin upon Himself, Jesus bridged the gap that separated us from God, enabling us to once again enjoy intimate communion with our Heavenly Father.
However, it’s important to understand the distinction between our union with God and our communion with Him. Our union – our status as beloved children of God – is a unilateral act of grace, made possible solely through Christ’s sacrifice. It is not dependent on our own achievements or spiritual maturity. But communion, the daily experience of God’s presence and the enjoyment of that relationship, is a two-way street. It requires our active participation and response.
God doesn’t want a one-way, broadcast-style relationship with us. He desires a walkie-talkie connection, where we can both receive from Him and communicate back, sharing our thoughts, struggles, and praises. This mutual conversation, facilitated by the Holy Spirit writing God’s law on our hearts, is what enables us to truly experience and enjoy our relationship with the Lord.
Yet, the obstacle that so often hinders our enjoyment of God is a lack of repentance. When we sin, redefining right and wrong according to our own standards, it creates distance in our relationship with God. We may feel ashamed or prefer to keep our distance, allowing sin to fester and separate us from the source of true joy and fulfillment.
The solution is to continually turn back to God in repentance, not just confessing specific sins, but also repenting of our self-righteousness, lack of love for others, and absence of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. As we humble ourselves before God, acknowledging our need for His grace and forgiveness, we open ourselves up to experience His presence and enjoy the abundant life He offers.
This process of repentance and renewal is not a one-time event, but an ongoing journey as we seek to live out the resurrection hope that Jesus has made possible. It’s a path that requires vulnerability, honesty, and a willingness to let go of our self-justifications and excuses.
But it’s also a journey that we don’t have to take alone. As we surround ourselves with a community of believers who are also striving to enjoy God and live out His purposes, we can find encouragement, accountability, and a shared commitment to pursuing Jesus wholeheartedly.
Imagine a group of people who come together, not just to go through religious motions, but to genuinely seek the Lord together. As they vulnerably share their struggles, confess their sins, and encourage one another to flee temptation and embrace God, something powerful begins to happen.
Lives are transformed, not through self-effort or moral achievement, but through the transformative power of the gospel, applied daily through repentance and faith. And as these individuals allow God’s love to permeate their hearts and relationships, it inevitably spills over into their communities, inspiring acts of compassion, generosity, and service that flow from a genuine enjoyment of God’s presence.
This is the incredible adventure that awaits those who choose to live in resurrection hope, continually turning towards Jesus and allowing Him to write His law on their hearts. It’s a journey that promises to be challenging, convicting, and at times uncomfortable, as it calls us to surrender our ways for His. But it’s also a path that leads to true life, joy, and the profound satisfaction of enjoying the God who loves us and has made a way for us to be reconciled to Him.
So, let us embrace this invitation to enjoy God, not merely as a hobby or religious exercise, but as a total commitment of our lives. Let us repent of sin, flee temptation, and surround ourselves with others who will spur us on in our pursuit of Jesus. For in doing so, we open ourselves up to experience the ultimate benefit – the boundless joy and fulfillment that comes from an ever-deepening relationship with our Creator and Redeemer.