passion to please

“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created.” Revelation 4:11

 “Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you.”  1 Thessalonians 4:1

Pleasure: a feeling of happy satisfaction and enjoyment

Please: to cause to feel happy and satisfied

My Abba,

This morning I want to meditate on the reality that you created me for your pleasure. Sometimes it is hard for me to grasp the truth that you fashioned me to please you. I want to give you a reason to rejoice in me as I walk through this day. I want you to enjoy me. I want to do what you created me to do – bring you pleasure.

 I have spent much of my life trying to please people. I stretched, bent, and twisted myself into what I thought would make someone else happy. Unfortunately, I was trying to become someone who was not very much like the “me” you made me to be. It has not been rewarding to live like that. Thank you for the ways you are sanctifying my desire to please.

 I realize I am eternally pleasing to you because I trusted Christ to restore me to right relationship with you. Thank you that you made a way for my displeasing attitudes and actions to not be counted against me – forever. But I, also, want to live to please you today.

 When I look at other verses, I see you give me the desire and power to please you. I am relieved to not feel pressured to please you in my own strength. Thank you for the “want-to” and the “how-to.”

 I loved each one of my children, unconditionally, before they drew their first breath. But beyond that, there are things they do that give me pleasure as a parent. I realize I experience joy or pleasure when they: 

·      Pursue relationship you

·      Love and serve others well

·      Walk in their design

·      Grow stronger spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically

·      Make healthy choices

Perhaps that gives me some insight into what gives you, my heavenly Father, pleasure. Please transform me. Give me an increasing passion to please you.

I love you,

Mollie

 My child,

Your experience as a parent does give you some perspective on what gives me pleasure as your Father. When you want to be with me, it brings me joy. When you love those in your life with my unconditional love, I rejoice.

 When you become more like me, it brings me pleasure. I enjoy seeing you live in the purpose for which I designed you. When you choose what is good and right, it makes my heart sing.

 Together, we can enjoy the life for which I created you. I am not like the people in your life who want you to twist and bend for their latest whim. I am pleased when you are true to whom I have made you to be.

 For all eternity past and future, I have never made, nor will ever make, someone exactly like you. You are not rare or uncommon. You are a singular masterpiece. Each of my children is one-of-a-kind. I breathed into being one very distinctive, forever you. Let me show you the path to being uniquely, beautifully you – for my pleasure and my glory!

I love you,

Abba

photo: tatiana kostareva