“He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His unfailing love.” (Psalm 147:10-11 NLT)
What brings you the greatest pleasure? Whatever it is, that’s what owns your heart; that’s what you’ll gravitate toward when you have opportunity. We must be careful as lovers of God because pleasure is a many splendored thing. It can be as simple as our favorite dessert or as evil as sex with someone who isn’t our spouse. It’s shiny and attractive and full of promise, but can lead to darkness the likes of which we can’t imagine ever escaping.
Privilege can also lead to similar experiences if allowed to be unmanaged or uncontrolled. Life in Christ offers both privilege and pleasure but can easily be taken out of context and made to look or feel like what God never intended. How we choose to allow ourselves to experience pleasure and what we consider as privilege can speak volumes about who we are as a person, but especially as a child of God.
Privilege, according to The Merriam-Webster Dictionary is “a right or immunity granted as an advantage or favor esp. to some and not others.” While pleasure is defined as “desire, inclination (await your); a state of gratification; enjoyment; a source of delight of joy.” Set your mind free to ponder those things for a few minutes and it may very well not lead you closer to the Lord. But, on the other hand, it may lead you right to His Holy presence. But why?
Rick Warren understood this when he wrote: “Knowing and loving God is humanity’s greatest privilege. And being known and being loved by God is our greatest pleasure.” When our whole life’s orientation centers and focuses on knowing and being known and loved by the Lord Jesus and yielding our life to His Lordship, pleasure grows out of time with Him and privilege is highlighted as we recognize our standing with the Lord isn’t earned or deserved but given as a gift of His holy grace. Being loved bears great pleasure for those who are forgiven.
If knowing and loving God is indeed our greatest privilege, what does that mean and why is it such a privilege? It’s ironic on some levels that privilege, according to the dictionary is “an advantage or favor esp. to some and not to others”, God’s great love, however, while very personal for each one who sees and accepts it, is open to everyone. As Peter reminds us in 2 Peter 3:9 , it’s not God’s desire for anyone to die in their sins but He wants everyone to repent and enjoy the privilege of knowing and loving Him.
Pleasure, “a state of gratification,” is also open to everyone, with the clear implication, it can come from many other sources other than God. The Lord actually has many rivals when it comes to pleasure, so, for someone to choose to find their pleasure in Him is very unusual and the privileged few who discover it are truly unique and blessed. Which begs the question: Have you found your greatest pleasure in Jesus?
In this season of my life, I view pleasure quite differently than when I was younger. Growing up and into my young adult life, pleasure was that which was focused on my satisfaction; what made me happy, that which was geared at satisfying my desires. Today, in the closing season of my life, my greatest pleasure is putting a smile on my Father’s face and making my wife’s life a little easier. I’d be lying if I didn’t also include my time praying, reading, worshipping, spending time with my pups and playing my video golf game, attending church, my Men’s Group, fellowshipping with my brothers in Christ and writing for this blog and in many other ways the Lord allows me to derive pleasure in this life.
But here’s the truth: on earth we can only catch a glimpse of what true, eternal pleasure and privilege will look like. That hope is what drives me to the Father in humble surrender and hope-filled anticipation of what He has in store for us when we leave these bodies of clay.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 