For the Beloved Delights in You

Dearly Beloved,

Grace and Peace to you.
         
         You shall no more be termed Forsaken, 
                  and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; 
         but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, 
                  and your land Married; 
         for the Beloved delights in you, 
                  and your land shall be married. 
         For as a young man marries a young woman, 
                  so shall your builder marry you, 
         and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, 
                  so shall your God rejoice over you. 
                           —Isaiah 62.4-5

We say of those who are difficult
that you have to love them 
but you don’t have to like them.

But God actually likes you.
The Holy One is delighted with you,
the Source of your life takes pleasure in you.

God is not a Patron but a Lover.
You give God joy simply by being you.
You can do nothing to change this.

Your Heavenly Lover stays with you,
because she wants to,
pursues you because she desires you.

Today how might you direct your steps
to be most open to share God’s joy,
to let the Passionate One dance with you?

– Steve Garnaas-Holmes in Unfolding Light: Daily Reflections