“The only path to pleasure is in pleasing God.”
Richard Owen Roberts
When I first met my husband, I was on a mission to discover his likes and dislikes because I wanted to please him. Forty-eight years later, my desire is still to show him my love through actions which bring him pleasure. When you love someone, you want to do things that move their heart. The same is true in our love relationship with God. The greater our love is for Him, the greater our desire is to please Him.
Jesus loved to please His Father. “...for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me” (John 5:30b). “The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him” (John 8:29).
Sitting quietly before the Lord, I asked Him what thrills His heart. These are the things I heard. God’s heart is moved:
When we behold Him and seek to know Him.
When we put Him as a priority – choosing to spend time with Him above all else.
When we say yes to His requests and choose obedience.
When we keep our hands firmly grasped in His, when we have no idea of where we’re going.
When we trust Him and place our faith and hope in Him, when the circumstances around us may look bleak.
When we believe He is good even though the situation appears bad.
When in our grief we still praise Him and give God thanks.
When we choose to forgive those who have hurt us.
When we minister to the poor, widows, and orphans – to the least of these.
When we display wholehearted devotion to Him.
When we remain faithful to Him.
When our hearts are pure, and we have no selfish motives behind our actions.
When we walk in humility and dependence upon Him.
When we submit to His leadership and follow Him.
When we surrender to His will and to His ways.
“But when I trust God, pleasing him is automatic.” Emily P. Freeman
Relevant Reflection: How can you move God’s heart today?
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay