Yourself? A family member? Someone entirely different? The Lord? Who… and why? I sometimes think that all of our words and behaviors are designed to please, or impress (fill in the blank) – whether we do this consciously or subconsciously. The ‘why’ is quite simple – we all feel the need for affirmation and confirmation of ourselves. Not unusual. But necessary?
It depends on how we ‘need’ the necessary and what we do with it. And it does vary dependent upon our own sense of who we are and what we are doing. It also depends on our sense of knowing what is required. Ultimately though… pleasing is a given. And, never assume this is a ‘bad’, it all depends on how we go about pleasing (fill in the blank).
If our method of pleasing is to throw someone else under the bus, then this is never justified. Building you on the bodies of others is a recipe for ultimate disaster – it will emerge eventually and there is no defense on our part. If our method is presenting our best self and being who we are, then success or not, we know we have done the right thing. Actually, we did please ourselves in the process and didn’t compromise or diminish who and what we are.
Pleasing the Lord. Now that’s an entirely different issue. How do we go about pleasing Him? What is it we can do that would be pleasing? One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 3:6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will
make straight your paths.”
Philippians 4:4-9 gives us another perspective.
“…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made know to God.
… “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever
is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable,
if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think
about these things…”(v.8)
I think this underscores and provides a foundation to pleasing the Lord. When we do what He asks, especially when we do it out of love, I think this is pleasing. When we are anxious then we probably aren’t trusting, do we then come with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving? Or do we stew over what is happening. Do we think on those things in 4:8 that can strengthen and renew us? Never forget Matthew 25:40 and Luke 8:21 – this is a very strong foundation.
