Surprise and Delight

I just got back from a great conference called Thrive. Not only was it really powerful, it was really fun! They mentioned that surprise and delight are things they intentionally try to have in their church (and lives). I couldn’t agree more!

But sometimes life gets us down, or time becomes too routine. Recently I have been really focusing on having more deep times with the Lord. It has really made a difference. Like digging a deeper well, I have more to draw on when people and life are taking more out of me. Sometimes we need to dig a deeper well. And sometimes we need to play in the water that God has provided!

Did you know that – on the whole planet – only mammals are capable of play? If you don’t believe me, try playing with the next snake or lizard that you meet! Edwin Friedman mentions this fact in chapter 2 of his book A Failure of Nerve, and explains that when leaders, families, and institutions lose their ability to play, they give into anxiety and indecisiveness, and lose their ability to stand up and grow strong people for the future. Play is important. Surprise and delight are godly.

Our ultimate delight is in the Lord. Psalm 37:4 says “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Once our hearts desire and delight in God, our prayers have more power, and what we want is nothing more than Christ and His Kingdom come. I want to have deep times with God, and I want to be able to delight in God more than candy (and I really like candy). We can have fun with Jesus – God made fun!

So here I am at Krispy Kreme typing up the blog for this week, to remind myself to take delight in the Lord. Even as I type I can smell the sugar, and I am reminded that God is even sweeter.  I am laughing to myself as I make these silly analogies. And yes, of course, I will eat a doughnut, too – I wouldn’t want to miss the surprise and delight. We will continue to make our church a place of godly surprise and delight.  Don’t miss the surprise and delight that is in Christ!