Pride and Joy

Have you ever been invited to a friend's home for dinner? Excitedly you and your spouse walk up the path, ring the bell and are graciously invited inside. The smells of dinner waft over you and simultaneously your stomachs growl. Just this afternoon, you and your spouse had talked about how much you enjoy the company of these friends, how you had so much in common, and how stimulating the converstaion always is. And lets not forget what a great cook she is!! So, you have been anticipating this evening all day, in fact, you even skipped lunch because dinner tonight would be so delicious. Now imagine, sitting down to eat, only to hear your hosts begin talking about the accomplishments of little Joey. Joey, who is three, and should be in bed, arrives in the room and with a burst of that kind of energy only children possess, he begins to sing, one song, and then two, and then three and then four. The child then somersaults across the floor, he brings in his drawings to show you, tells you his favorite color, offers you his new toy and then jumps up on his mother's lap and smiles broadly. Joey's parents then begin to tell you even more about Joey. He can almost write his name. He is the smartest kid in his Sunday school class and he knows all the songs. The preschool talent show seems to have no end. You are both hungry and surprised but you try to be polite. His parents are beaming because they love to show Joey off. They are very proud of his accomplishments, his talents and his personality. Joey is their pride and joy.

I was reading the book of Job the other day and I began thinking about the question God asks of satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." I can almost hear the pride in God's voice as He lauds Job's accomplishments. I can almost see the smile on His face as He tells satan just how special His servant is. Now, we all know the rest of this story. We know that satan sets out to prove that Job's obedience to God is not love driven but out of a sense of duty and payback. He wreaks havoc in Job's life, to such an extent that Job's very name has become a synonym for patience and suffering. But satan is unsuccessful and Job lived a faithful and prosperous life. We are inspired and encouraged by the story of Job. Most of us have read it and aspire to live that same sort of faithful life. The message most of us get from this story is just that.
But as I read this story, I found myself returning again and again to God bragging about Job. Can you even imagine being of such character, such faith, such spiritual strength that God proudly speaks about you to other spiritual beings with pride and joy? Can you imagine being blameless and upright in God's sight? Being one who fears God and shuns evil in such a manner that God brings up your name in conversations? Don't you want to be that kind of person? Don't you want to be of such character that the creator of all universe brags about you? Don't you want to be God's pride and joy?
My goal--to be like Job, so that I can be my Father's pride and joy--the apple of His eye.

Peace
Neva
Zechariah 2:8 ". . . for whoever touches you, touches the apple of His eye."