My Pleasure

Language is a funny thing that morphs from generation to generation. Honestly, I have a hard time keeping current with all the slangy terms that appear periodically. This only proves to myself and others that I am officially a “geezer.” One example of a polite interaction that I believe has the same intention but loses some of its beauty is the response to a simple “thank you.” To me, “no problem” doesn’t have the grace of “my pleasure.”

It’s also funny how my brain works. I made a chocolate chip pancake for my wife this morning and she thanked me. Automatically, I responded with “my pleasure.” Just that simple exchange got me thinking about the word “pleasure.” And immediately the verse in Psalms 16:11 popped into my head, “…in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”

There was a time in my BC days

when I was obsessed with chasing pleasure in all the typical ways. I discovered two things. First, the high from the “pleasure du jour” didn’t last much beyond the event itself. Second, to deliver the desired effect, tomorrow’s pleasure had to be greater than today’s.

Then I met Jesus and my life did a one-eighty. You might be surprised to learn that pleasure is a two-way street. The Bible says, “The Lord takes pleasure in His people.” Ps.149:4.

Moses, God’s choice to lead His people out of Egypt,

was raised in the luxury of Egyptian royalty, but he had an encounter with God (in a burning bush) [Exo. 3:2-4] that changed his life. Hebrews 11:25 refers to Moses’ decision: “choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God  than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.” Yes, sin can be pleasurable. But it passes and leaves us with guilt and emptiness. Compare that with the verse above that identifies “fullness of joy” and “pleasures forever.”

My morning Bible time brought me to the book of Colossians today. And like often happens, God uses something from His word to dovetail into my thoughts for today’s topic. Consider the “outline” for followers of Jesus to adopt as a way to enjoy God’s peace and joy and to avoid His wrath. I’ve reduced it to five steps.

Step 1.  “Set your mind on things above where Christ is” Col. 3:2

Step 2.  “Consider your body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience.” Col. 3:5,6

Step 3.  …put aside anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech…do not lie to one another.” Col. 3:8,9

Step 4.  “Put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving each other.” Col. 3:12,13.

Step 5.  “Let your speech always be with grace.” Col. 4:6

The first two deal with our thinking, the last three with what comes out of our mouths. Jesus, probably thinking of Jeremiah 17:9 (“the heart is more deceitful than all else”), was talking to His disciples, “But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man” (Matt.15:18).

Here’s today’s exam.

1. T or F Heaven is one of two places with pleasures forever?
2. T or F Earthly pleasures exceed heavenly pleasures in long-term fulfillment?
3. T or F Earthly pleasures fill the emptiness void if we continue to “scratch the itch”?
4. Have I “put aside…?”
5. Have I “put on…?’
6. Is my speech “always…?”

There is no pass-fail for this test. But if you answered “T” to any of the first three, it’s likely you don’t have a personal relationship with the God of the Bible. That automatically eliminates you from eternal joy and pleasures. But it’s not too late. Click here to check out our Steps To Salvation section.

Thanks for reading.