Sitting in a poolside lounger looking directly out to the Pacific Ocean, waves crashing, cool breeze – the perfect Southern California day. Watching 15 Jordan leaders play beach volleyball while others surf and most likely some still sleep. The message last night centered around how each of us is uniquely wired with a specific skill set, emotional structure, perspective on life. We have limitations and we have strengths coming together to make us perfect in Gods eyes. Consider this – your weaknesses make you as perfect as your strengths. God wires us, God has a plan for us, God doesn’t make mistakes. I could end this thought right here.
As we started our morning, we were told to ponder how much God loves us. I sat and thought – yep, I got nothing. Talking to Mick he said just look around, look at the sand, the waves, the sky – the beauty of what God provides to us. Bask in it! THAT’S how much God loves you. Yep, I still got nothing.
Bask – 1. to lie in or be exposed to a pleasant warmth: to bask in the sunshine.
2.
to enjoy a pleasant situation: He basked in royal favor
Ok I get that. From a completely logical perspective. But to settle into “basking” – not so much. So if I don’t “bask” or “revel” do I believe any less? Am I less obedient? We stood and worshipped in the Ocean Beach One church last night. It was hard not to ponder how the Jordan team worshipped with open abandon. Praising God, hands raised, faces turned to the heavens, voices loud and clear. Total abandon to God. It was inspiring but I couldn’t help but wonder: if your praise is quiet, if your worship is reserved – does God appreciate it any less?
The British dictionary adds to the “bask” definition: to flourish or feel secure under some benevolent influence or favorable condition. Now that I totally get. To feel secure under a benevolent influence, I.e. God. Secure. If I looked for one word to describe how I feel about my relationship with God, it’s secure. Secure under a benevolent influence – love that.
So back to wiring. God has wired me to “bask” by being secure. Others to “bask” by observation of the beauty He provides. And yet others to “bask” by worshipping in total abandon. God made us, wired us and recognizes that each of us has our own form of basking in Him. It doesn’t matter how we do it, how we express ourselves … only that we do.
