Daily Focus - To Please or Not to Please

"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:10).

I loved homeschooling my children when they were four, five, and six years old because it was so easy to teach them. Curious and loving, my children were as anxious to please as they were to learn. Mom and Dad's approval meant the world to them as they attempted to master new skills, and any words of encouragement and affirmation from us were soaked up like a sponge. Granted, at this age my children loved learning for learning's sake, but in large part, they also studied hard, so we would be proud of their educational accomplishments.

As Christians, God also desires that we would come before His presence and live to please Him. He has so much to teach us and knows we'll be happiest if we understand His will and obey His plan for our life. However, many of us ignore God's desire and waste years seeking the approval and affirmation of others, including our own family. As we attempt to please everyone but the One who loves us most, we eventually find ourselves frustrated and burned out.

How about you? Are you so busy trying to please everyone that you've forgotten about pleasing God? If you struggle in keeping Christ your first love, consider the One who loves you so much that He sent His Son to die for your sins. With so great a love, doesn't He deserve to be number one on your "to please" list? "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased" (Hebrews 13:15-16).

Heavenly Father, every breath and every moment I experience here on Earth is from You. Teach me to worship and please You with all that I am. All glory to You for being such a loving and wonderful God. In Jesus' name, Amen.