Feel God’s Pleasure

I woke to fog in my backyard. I couldn’t believe it. You see, I live in the dessert and fog is a rarity. All I wanted to do was put on my yoga pants and sweatshirt and go for a morning walk. It’s been rainy and gray the last few days and I have enjoyed it.

There’s nothing quite like walking in the cool of the morning after a good rain. The birds seem to sing a little bit louder. The sound of my feet hitting the wet cement is enough to make my heart sing.

On this particular rainy day, I wanted to run outside, in part because of what had been happening on my walks during this rainy season. I laugh that I call it a rainy season, I’m literally talking about no more than three days. This morning the sun shines brightly and there isn’t a cloud in the sky.

Just two days ago I had a new revelation about my relationship with God: walking each morning is a spiritual discipline.

I stepped onto the sidewalk and saw beauty in the pattern of leaves on the wet pavement. So, of course I snapped a picture after I walked through them.

I stopped the sermon streaming from a recent podcast, removed the earbuds, and chose to walk in the quiet with the Lord. I believe in that moment, He offered an invitation to me. An invitation to quiet the noise and walk with Him.

I was reminded of Eric Liddell. The movie Chariots of Fire is based on his story. He was an olympic runner. He said, “When I run, I feel His pleasure.”

In the mornings, when I’m walking I feel God’s pleasure. Our bodies are His temple according to 1 Corinthians 6:19. He created us to move, to work, to walk and run, to exercise. Moving allows us to connect with Him. Honestly, I had never really thought of it this way.

Until just a few days ago, I would not have said exercise was a spiritual discipline. I would have said it’s necessary for our physical and mental health, but I would never have connected the dots to spiritual health without that quiet invitation from God.

Friends, God is always communicating with us. Are we tuned into the right channel? Do we look for Him in the simple, small things like wet leaves on a sidewalk? He may communicate with us in different ways. Some of us hear that small still voice. Others get a feeling. Some see pictures. And still others may have a word pop into their mind. And then there is the holy connection during physical activity.

This week at the teenage Bible study I lead, I encouraged the kids to look to their cross country run, their swim, or their softball practice as a way to deepen their relationship with God. God’s deepest desire is to have a relationship with us.

He runs after us like the father in the parable of the prodigal son. He goes after the one lost sheep. Heaven throws a party when one person is found by God.

May I encourage you this week to look to meet Jesus in your exercise routine because He is communicating with you. While on the walk earlier this week, after I put the earbuds away, I had the opportunity for the Father to reveal a little more to me about who He is and how deeply He loves me.

He showed me things I didn’t know. I had been asking Him questions and it was on this walk that He answered. And more importantly, I heard it! Had I continued with the sermon, I am sure I would have received a good word, but it wouldn’t have been THE word I needed for that day.

I know from experience, when I take a walk, I’m more likely to connect with Him. So I sort of feel a little foolish just “getting it” now. But I share my foolishness with you so that you too may grow and learn. Maybe you’ve already connected the dots. Then this can serve as a great reminder to you. But if you are someone who hadn’t made this connection, then you’re in good company.

God is communicating. Quiet the noise. Take a walk or a run. Pay attention. He’s got something to say to you. He takes pleasure in you!