Delight, God’s Original and Ultimate Goal
Dallas Willard once defined love as an affection that’s always directed toward what is good for its objects. From Creation to Restoration, God’s good has always been directed toward us!
God’s goal, the primary agenda of the heavenly Father, has always been and remains – to this day – that we take delight in Him. This goal, or desire, toward us is birthed from His love for us.
God’s love is on full and magnificent display in the Creation account. In the creation account, the Father creates an environment perfectly suited to sustain life and then He creates the living beings perfectly fitted to flourish within His environment!
He then invites us to partner with Him and His work in the world. It’s an invitation to tend, cultivate (create culture), and care for His wonderful world.
Why?
Because God loves us and His love is directed toward what’s best for us! This others-oriented love of God is what I’ve come to call a Signature Affection of Creation.
There is also, however, a competing affection lurking in the shadows.
This affection, though secondary, is powerful.
This competing affection – we might even call it a forgery (in keeping with the signature affection metaphor) – looks a bit like love.
It mimics love.
It attempts to provide the promise and power of love.
It’s even alluring, like love.
Yet it’s not love. Not, at least, this others oriented love of the Father. Continue reading “Delight: God’s Original and Ultimate Goal”