at first i was offended. ("of course i don't do things that are wrong if others ask me to do that.")
then it hit me.
what about the little things. why do you do somethings? is there a deeper longing that you are trying to fill with the worldly things around you? why do you go on social media? is it to please others? is it to make sure that they know you are still friends? (or is it deeper and really about you REMINDING yourself that you have 'friends?')
oh, why are we such shallow people?
later, i was struck by this thought: if i asked my parents this questions, shouldn't i ask my Father in Heaven about my actions and bringing Him pleasure?
"i want my actions to please you."
"i want you to be pleased with me."
"i want you to be thankful you created me."
oh, isn't so reassuring knowing that nothing we can or can't do will change the way that Jesus thinks about us? Yes, the actions that we do can either bring Him honor or not but that doesn't change His love for each of us.
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God! That is what we are!" [john 3:1]
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting Life." [john 3:16]
"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
[romans 5:8]
we should rest in the knowledge of God's love and let that propel us forward into words and actions that pleases Him, our Heavenly Father.
"if the praise of man elates me and his blame depresses me; if i cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself, if i love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve, than i know nothing of Calvary love." - Amy Carmichael
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God! That is what we are!" [john 3:1]
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting Life." [john 3:16]
"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
[romans 5:8]
we should rest in the knowledge of God's love and let that propel us forward into words and actions that pleases Him, our Heavenly Father.
"if the praise of man elates me and his blame depresses me; if i cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself, if i love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve, than i know nothing of Calvary love." - Amy Carmichael
