The apocalyptic sound thundered majestically as Jesus was lifted out of the Jordan by His cousin the baptizer. The bewildered onlookers marveled as they witnessed the sky open and audibly attended the loving declarations of Father to Son.

“You are My beloved Son, with You I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22

Jesus stood for a moment, gaze slightly upturned as water cascaded down His face, basking in the delight of His Father’s affections, knowing it would be one of the only earthly commendations He receives.

Understanding what lay ahead and the human strength needed to fulfill His destiny, Jesus immediately left His cousin and the crowds for the Judaean Desert.

Jesus, a perfectly pleasing Son, withheld nothing from His Father, yet we understand from Hebrews 5:8,

Jesus learned obedience from the things He suffered.

Perfectly pleasing came at a cost. But He would have it no other way because of the perfect love He has for every human on this broken planet—no matter status, class, race or past.

So if Jesus is this pleasing to an all-powerful, perfect God, how much more pleasing would He be to us flawed, fragile humans?

If we search for Him, we will find Him more pleasing than the latest must-have, the next dollar amount, climbing the career or social ladder, that relationship, or any number of likes. Whatever you’re thinking will satisfy you, Jesus is infinitely more. 

Jesus is a perfect “one size fits all” Savior.

There is no minimum requirement, resume needed, past performance expected, prerequisites, or must-haves before you ask to become His child or seek His help in a crisis.

He will love you utterly and completely, right now; He wants you just as you are, adoring you perfectly in this moment. 

Yet I bet there are some who would say, “I don’t sense His delight, and I certainly don’t feel like He’s pleased with me.” 

I’ve been there, dear one. There have been days, seasons, and even years when I did not sense His delight for me, nor my delight in Him.

What do we do during these times? Jesus gave us a solution in John 15:9 to this spiritual desert, or dark night of the soul.

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.”

When we seek His presence—really press in—we will find Him, and where He is, love abounds. Because He is love. It’s impossible to fervently seek Him and not find His love. 

The seeking is our calling. The love-lavishing is His.

What’s one thing you can do today to seek His perfectly pleasing presence? A few minutes in a bubble bath with the Bible on audio, coffee and a quick prayer with a friend, a Bible story with your little one, a precious few moments outside, soaking up the sights and sounds of His Creation made especially for you today? 

What if you and I carve out a few minutes every day for the next 7 days to spend in His presence? Write it in your planner or schedule it in your google calendar, and hold it as fast as you would a date with Mr. Wonderful, a work assignment or a dreaded but vital doctor’s appointment.

You will be surprisingly warmed and your outlook will surely change, simply by being in His presence.  

In Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand are pleasures forever. Psl.16:11