It was my grandson’s fourth birthday. I called to do a video chat with him, so I could wish him “Happy Birthday” in real time and in person through technology as we live a distance from each other. At the new age of four, he was a moving target all over the room with the phone. I had to constantly tell him I couldn’t see him on my phone. At one point, he, apparently, hit something on the phone he had and lost me on the screen. Calling out loudly to my son, he yelled: “Dad, I lost the grandma!”

This was, of course, a live call. “The grandma” was not an avatar. But even at the young age of four, my grandson had already become accustomed to seeing representations vs real people. Thus, I was “the grandma” and not Grandma. I was an image or icon to him, not really me.

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How often do we, in our society, substitute an image for the real thing? We want joy in life, so our image to attain “joy” becomes munching cookies, binge-watching a television show, hanging out with a crowd of people at a party, using/abusing drugs or alcohol, or . . . or . . . when all along the real Joy is ever present.

The Real Thing: Joy in the Lord’s Presence

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

 The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. (Proverbs 10:28)

 ⁸ Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (I Peter 1:8-9)

The Real King: Our Lord

 Jeremiah 10:10:

—But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God, the eternal King. (NIV)

—But God is the real thing—the living God, the eternal King (The Message)                 

—But You, Lord, are the true God, You are the living God and the eternal King.  (Good News translation)

The Real Thing: Forever Joy in the Lord

 You will show me the path that leads to life;
Your presence fills me with joy
and brings me pleasure forever.

(Psalm 16:11)

 There can be no image or icon identified as “the god.” There is only God in real time, in live communication, in full Presence—and in Him, we find real joy.

 

  (Sharon G. Tate blog 09/30/18) teacherforjesus.com  Meditations on God’s Word