Sounds like a contradiction doesn’t it? So much of life feels like a game of Chutes and Ladders. Once I graduate. When I marry. When the kids start school. After the kids move out. When I retire. Once the book is finally written. We’re always toiling to reach the top, or laboring to overcome the drop. The Bible says that kind of existence…is empty misery. 

God is present. The joy of living takes place when we realize: whatever God has given our hands to do, we do it with Life Himself.

“Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” (Col 3:23) This doesn’t mean we do whatever we want. God’s not saying to follow our own fickle heart. And no finite person possesses anything that didn’t originate from Heaven Himself. God doesn’t need us—God desires to be with us—that we may know the joy of walking with the Lord. 

We just enjoyed three days with grand kids. Excitement builds every time David and I cross the Ohio state line. Oh my, how we all cheer when we finally hug each other. We stay right there under their roof. We eat, sleep, play, laugh, cry, prepare, fix, wash, brush together. None of us wants to miss a moment with the other. No matter sun or rain, sickness or health, happy or sad—we’re just glad doing life side by side.

It’s why Jesus left the comforts of heaven. It’s why He crossed the line of an eternity without us…to make His home in us. 

Let’s not waste this day toiling for some other day, ignoring the Father who loves us like no other. Let’s embrace each moment right now—no matter how high or low it may be, knowing there’s nothing better than enjoying the presence of the One who came all that way to stay with us.