Marvelous
Zechariah 8:5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.
:6 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts.
There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the sun was just getting ready to go to bed along the southern horizon as I stopped by a friend’s house to pick up Haylie. She had spent a few days there while Kim and I were out of town, so it was taking her a little while to get her things together. Haydn, Hunter and I had the windows down and were just enjoying the peaceful evening as we waited in the driveway. I had noticed some kids on bikes while pulling into the neighborhood and had slowed and waited for them as I entered Haylie’s friend’s driveway. It isn’t really a cul-de-sac, but this quiet street is driven mostly by those who live there or know those who do, so it has a very secure and peaceful atmosphere.
While a mother kept a close watch from the house next door, three of the kids I had noticed on the way down the street were riding their bikes and scooter along the sidewalk and street. They were playing with a recycle container that was waiting for pick up along the curb, and had accidentally discovered the loud noise that could be made when they ran their bikes into it, causing the empty containers inside to clang together. Each time one of them would take their turn at crashing into the container, there would be an eruption of laughter and praise for the one who had caused the noise.
In the middle of a world full of great chaos and despair, most of which is far too dangerous for children to freely play right out in the streets, we were presented with this scene of purely innocent joy, peace and security. I had initially experienced a judgemental feeling, like, “How could a responsible parent allow their children to be playing right out in the open like this?”, but after a few moments I felt myself getting caught up in the serenity of the moment with great appreciation for quality of life that was being enjoyed before our eyes.
How wonderfully marvelous had become this moment, when, for a few minutes, I together with my boys were suspended from the conflicts and pressures of normal living to observe and taste of the wonderful experience that life can be. Then, upon reading this passage from Zechariah, it became clear in yet another way that God also has a passion and appreciation for those things that would be marvelous to us. Not, necessarily the things that would be driven by our flesh that eventually come with the baggage of sorrow, but those things that result in pure joy and exuberance of living are things that bring great fulfillment to the One who’s provided everything for their existence. These are the very times that He desperately wants for us, and He is continually nudging us their way and leading us beside still waters where they may not only be observed, but experienced.
To lives that are easily caught up in the rat race and conflicts of day-to-day living, with its financial pressures and emotional stresses, there is ever a secluded street in the kingdom of God, where He invites us to steal away, slow down, and view that which is truly marvelous and glorious- life as He provides and intends it to be. Far from oppression, terror and fear, inspiring continual eruptions of joy and gladness inspired laughter, these, above even some of His most magnificent creations are considered by Him to be marvelous and most precious. There is in this day an opportunity to escape to this place in Him, to see and know that no matter the intensity of the world’s storms, there is a refuge in Him where all inhibitions and restrictions give way to the spontaneous and thrilling joyful life.
Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
