A Smile from God

In the song, "Positively Fourth Street," Bob Dylan sings, "I wish that for just one time, you could stand inside my shoes. You’d know what a drag it is to see you."

We may think that God feels that way about us sometimes: "Oh, what a drag. Greg is here. Hi, Greg." But that is not how God feels about us. He smiles.

Think about when someone you really love shows up. Your face lights up, doesn’t it? That is how God is with us.

In contrast, have you ever noticed how idols are always frowning? I have visited museums where I have seen various idols, and they always look like they are mad about something. They are never smiling.

But that is not God. He looks at us and smiles. He loves to bless us. And here is something else we may not know: He sings over us. Zephaniah 3:17 says, "For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." I love that.

Recently I was pushing my granddaughter on the swing, and as I pushed her I was singing to her. I took the Chris Tomlin song, "Sing, Sing, Sing" but instead sang, "Swing, swing, swing." Since then, whenever I ask her if she wants to go swing, she’ll start singing, "Swing, swing, swing." She knows what that song is associated with. I sing over my granddaughter. I sing her Christian songs. I sing her biblical lyrics. I want them to be ingrained in her little mind so she remembers them.

God sings over you. He delights to be in your presence. And I hope you delight to be in His.