“…my heart plays sadly like a harp for [the nation of] Moab, my inner being for [its capital city,] Kir-heres.” — Isaiah 16:11 CEB [brackets mine]

My freshman year of college I was cast in Scrooge, the Musical. I had a big show-stopping number in the second act. As Ebenezer Scrooge gazed hopefully into his future, my character, Tom Jenkins, led the town in a grand celebration of his death. I got to sing and crack jokes and dance on a coffin— it was a morbidly fun experience.

Perhaps you’ve found yourself so at odds with a person that you relished their misfortune. After all, there are people who have caused us such pain and frustration that the only way we can imagine feeling better about them is by witnessing their destruction. When the wicked are brought to justice, our human hearts play joyful fanfares, but the heart of the Lord plays a somber dirge.

God’s desire is for everyone to be saved (1 Tim 2:4). Jesus became one of us, died on behalf of us and rose again ahead of us so that when we gaze into our futures we will be treated to a heavenly production. The largest cast ever assembled, radiating with the light of God’s love, singing and dancing to new songs of thanks and praise as the show goes on magnificently for all eternity.

Lord God, let us see others through your eyes. Direct our steps. Guide us by the light of your love. Amen.