Being a Friend of God

May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. (numbers 6:25, NLT)

What makes you smile? A friend bringing you a gift? A letter or email that blesses you? A funny joke from a coworker or child? Have you seen America's Funniest Videos? Yes, we laugh with them.

God created you after His image. God laughs, He smiles, and He really is a happy God. and He is extremely passionate about His children enjoying Him and the life He brings. I know this concept of a happy, joyful God goes cross-grain with most religious beliefs. In most churches one would think their worship services a perpetual funeral. Quite the contrary, God desires to have a special place with His people that would allow them to enjoy life, enjoy His love, relish His fellowship, and be His friend.

Yes, we don't want to diminish a holy reverence of God. We're very familiar with the many scriptures that speak of our sin, His righteousness, and the need to walk humbly with our God. In fact, that's all we've heard for many years, and the resulting fruit many times is believers having a very wrong perception of God. Yes, we don't want to be so familiar with the Lord that we lose reverence, but on the flip side is an unhealthy fear of God that drains away any sense of joy in being a Christian.

Early church historians have shown that Jesus walked on this earth with a calm smile. He was among His people. He fellowshipped with the, ate with them...end enjoyed sharing the joys of the kingdom of God with them. Friends, it's time to realize that today we can make the Lord smile upon you. How? Smile at Him. We call it worship. As you worship and fellowship with Him today, do it with joy and gladness; and guess what? You'll have God smiling back and enjoying being with you too.

From the issue of Jubilee Journey, Living in Faith Everyday. 175 Nortech Parkway, San Jose, CA 95134. www.jubilee.org