I’m not necessarily legalistic, but I can tend to measure my spiritual life by how many boxes I’m able to check during my days. Not that they’re not good, and meaningful, and worthy; but too often I feel guilty if I think not enough ‘work’ for the Kingdom and in myself is being done.

I love that my God is merciful- I need His mercy. I love that He is gracious- I cherish His grace. I love His love for me.

But sometimes I forget that He actually LIKES me too. For a sinner like me that part of His character is often one that I don’t contemplate and rest in enough.

Yes, God loves us…. but He likes us too. In fact, scripture tells us He DELIGHTS in us. Ponder that for a minute…. it’s kind of an amazing thing if you think about it.

There’s a song that we sing at the closing of each term at Camp Barnabas (a Christian Camp for disabled kids where I work). I cry every time at the words as the staff sings these verses over their beloved campers; sending them back into an often harsh world. My prayer every time is that these souls cling to the truth in them- it’s taken from Zephaniah 3:17

For the Lord your God is with you.
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will comfort you with His love,
And He will rejoice over you in song.

These words ring just as true for me and for you. God delights in us. He rejoices over US. He just plain LIKES us.

If you’re anything like me, that’s a wonderful (and hard!) reality to accept. But it is true all the same. Take heart, draw in close, and revel in the fact that Yahweh, Almighty God, Abba Father likes you!