Dear friends,

I used to think God was afraid we’d find happiness somewhere else. 

Ye shall not go after other gods… (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth. (Deut. 6:14 – 15)

Out of context, passages like this — quoted here in KJV for dramatic effect — seem to say God can’t emotionally handle our lack of loyalty: BE FAITHFUL OR BE OBLITERATED.

In a human leader or lover, this kind of control could be chalked up to insecurity. But that doesn’t fit the Trinity. As the source and sustainer of life, God is eternally secure—in every possible meaning of the phrase. So what kind of jealousy are we talking about here?

Answering that requires taking into account all of Scripture, especially the life of Jesus. In him, the heart of God is on full display. He longs for people to follow him into fullness of life; he is openhanded when they don’t.

Jesus’ desire for humans to do what he says is utterly pure—untainted by greed, lack, manipulation, or insecurity. When Jesus wants us to be with him and obey his commandments, it is for our good. Jesus shows us that God isn’t afraid we will find lasting life and peace and happiness without him; God simply knows we can’t.

With that backdrop, hear these words from Julian of Norwich:

For God wishes to be seen,
God wishes to be sought,
God wishes to be expected,
and God wishes to be trusted.

In a 20-minute ​“audio retreat” on these phrases, Nathan Foster adds one of his own: God wishes to be enjoyed.

As I listened to it again this morning, my heart settled into the satisfaction of being purely desired by the most secure being in the universe. If you haven’t heard it before (or even if you have), I promise it’s 20-minutes of your life well spent.

So today may your heart be aware of the gaze of love from the God who doesn’t need you in order to be okay, but wants you in order to share the overflowing joy of relationship.