My family and I were at an amazing water park on a hot day during summer break. It was one of those parks that had a multi-level fort with water shooting out of every nook and cranny. Sprays erupted from the ground like geysers, and water tumbled down in intricate waterfalls all around us. Kids and adults alike carried giant smiles, and laughter bubbled easily out of everyone’s mouth. It was impossible not to have a good time in this wet extravaganza.
As I people-watched, I noticed a man running and playing in the water. His back was turned to me, but I could tell he was carrying a child. I thought it must have been a baby or a toddler at first, but I realized when he turned around that he was carrying a young boy around 10 or 11 years old. The boy’s legs were paralyzed and his father became his support and strength.
The boy’s joy-filled expression stole my attention, and I couldn’t help but take part in his delight. He splashed the water with his hands as his father swung him through the cooling sprays. The father’s expression was no less beautiful – it was clear that his satisfaction rested on his son’s joy. They worked together in their play, and the cohesive bond they shared will always be a treasured memory tucked into the pocket of my soul.
As I rested in the sun watching the father and son duo, I felt the Holy Spirit tell me, “That’s what I want with you.”
God has such an amazing plan for each of us, but we will never achieve it on our own. Our human abilities are so limited compared to the awesome strength and power of our Heavenly Father, and it is only when we acknowledge our weaknesses that we will reach for His mercy and grace. God must carry us if we are to endeavor into our eternal purpose and enjoy the adventure that He has planned for us. However, we must put our complete dependence on Him.
God created us out of His overflowing love, and He died for us even in our imperfect state. He finds joy in caring for us, and He eagerly carries us further into His glory. We can trust Him completely and give our days over to His desire and design. And even in our shortcomings, we can rest assured that God loves us and yearns for us to find joy in His creation and company. If we would just partner up with His presence, the limits of this world would disappear under the weight of His sovereignty.
Questions: Has God given you a desire that you know you could never accomplish on your own? How can you take steps to rely solely on God and to find complete joy in Him? Will you remind yourself that God takes great pleasure in you?
“But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy” (Psalm 68.3 NLT).
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