How to pursue a healthier version of you
First thing in the morning and every day after work, my dogs go wild when they see me. They wiggle their tails, bounce with excitement, and push their way into a hug. Every inch of their little bodies is filled with the kind of joy I can only describe it as pure delight.
It’s an enjoyable but everyday kind of experience for me, so I wasn’t expecting anything unusual when I woke up this morning. But I’m learning (as I’m sure you are too) that oftentimes it is through the everyday that God speaks. As they ran to me this morning, that word delight ran through my mind like it was written in capital letters, loud and clear. Almost as quickly, Scriptures about delight.
“The Lord your God is with you…He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17)
“You shall no longer be called forsaken… but ‘my delight is in her’” (Isaiah 62:4)
“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4)
The secular world gets the importance of delight. It’s used and abused in marketing. It’s a daily practice that can help us feel grounded and keep us positive. The pursuit of pleasure is a popular idol. But the world’s picture of delight is broken, shallow, empty. It comes up short.
In addition, many of us have experienced the very opposite of delight from close relationships where that ought to have been the case. It’s hard for us to wrap our minds around what it means that God takes delight in us, even less so, what it might look like for us to take delight in him.
I’ve been asking the Lord over the last six months for Scriptures I can use to counter the negative inner critic I inherited from childhood experiences. Truth to counter the lies. A sword to fight my inner spiritual battles. New words I can use to replace words that were spoken over me. I think I got my next step this morning. A practical way to press into the truth about what God has to say about me.
As part of the work I do serving our denomination, last week at General Assembly, I got to launch a one-year pilot program for 80 Pastors across the country to intentionally invest in their pastoral health and effectiveness. I’m thrilled to do something to help move the needle on Pastors thriving and not just surviving ministry. And as always, the work God calls us to do with others starts with me. This unexpected moment this morning was my next step towards a healthier version of me.
I wonder how God is working in your life to bring you to greater health and effectiveness? How is he bringing a deeper sense of his presence, his purpose, and his good plans for you? I’m praying for your health and effectiveness too!
With love and prayers. Grateful to be on this journey with you!
Pastor Rachel