| A few years ago, I decided to take the family on a ‘pick-your-own blueberries’ adventure. The scorching sun made me think twice about the decision, and I found myself thinking, “these berries better be worth it”.
For a test, I picked a few little berries and popped one in my mouth. I wasn’t prepared for the explosion of flavor; the surprisingly tart, yet somehow sweet and delicious bite of al dente perfection that packed the punch of 10 conventional blueberries from the store!
I think holiness must be something like the taste of sun-ripened blueberries, hand-picked at the peak of the season. It takes much more effort to obtain. Psalm 51’s ‘truth in the inner parts’ means making every life decision to bring glory to God, even the ones that no one sees. But when we have determined to follow God’s design, the unexpected pleasure from the fruit of our labor will make it all worth it!
It’s the pleasure of a job well done, a good workout, a meaningful look between husband and wife, an unexpected burst of affection from a toddler; confiding in a good friend, your wedding night when you have ‘saved yourselves for each other’, a miracle that comes when you have obeyed the voice of the Lord. The list could go on and on...
It’s sometimes hard to remember that the discomfort of obedience pales in comparison to the fruit it brings (2 Cor 4:17) – in both this life and the one to come. Let's remind ourselves today that God’s high standards are not to punish us, but rather to bring us deep pleasure.
Marissa Yi, Worship Minister |
