Running and Joy

Yesterday I found myself running down the road with my two-and-a-half-year-old, Lucy. It was a delightful picture for me because she loves running. She has not a care for where we are going, or how far away the destination is. She is provided for, so she is content. In this moment she is simply taking great joy in the act of running with her Papa.

You might already being to note what meaning I drew from this experience. As I looked down at her, I saw her little legs, bounding forward uncontrolled as I pulled her on, and her free arm flailing in an undisciplined enthusiasm. Her face radiated pure pleasure.

That untainted joy is probably too much for us to expect as we sit on this side of perfection. But it is definitely the goal that God has for us. He made us for joy and delight. Any number of times he describes heaven as a banquet or celebration. And this attitude is very fitting. Listen to the transformation of the psalmist. The tone begins somber, but the joy cannot be kept away.

I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.

Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.

Then I called on the name of the LORD : "O LORD, save me!"

The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.

The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.

For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,

that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

I believed; therefore I said, "I am greatly afflicted."

And in my dismay I said, "All men are liars."

How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?

I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains.

I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD.

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,

in the courts of the house of the LORD—in your midst, O Jerusalem.

Praise the LORD. (Hallelujah)

-Psalm 116

I like to think of "walking in the way of the LORD in the land of the living as very similar to Lucy's run. I think of us letting our Papa do the directing and pulling, and us simply free to joyfully stride.

Obedience in this psalm is so praise-filled. Let ours be.

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