But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that’s what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions. Sooner or later we’ll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what’s coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:9-10, The Message)
Do you ever worry about your golf game? Are you anxious about the upcoming golf outing where you are to perform? Or even closer to home, what about your business, finances, and family concerns that have you up at night and even praying?
My good friend and fellow struggle brother (that is what we call the guys who play in this group) is a loyal attender of a Links Fellowship that I facilitate in my hometown. As is our custom, we were ending our time together with any special prayer requests. This man spoke up and said these profound words that have continued to impact me today: “Many times I have stayed awake at night worrying about my finances, my family, and my career change. I am concerned about some really important matters that affect me and those whom I love so well. But the sad part is this: I have never stayed awake at night pondering this eternal question—is what I am doing pleasing God?”
Good question. As those who trust God with our eternal destiny, isn’t that a question that should concern us? Should we not lie pondering this eternal question?
I was recently reading a wonderful book that one of our Links Fellowships will soon study, entitled Love Does. Bob Goff, the author, wrote, “I used to be afraid of failing at something that really mattered to me, but now I’m more afraid of succeeding at things that really don’t matter.”
The older I get, the more I want to please God, not because he is watching or demanding that I please him, but because now I really know him and realize what he has done for me. I want to please him out of gratitude. I want to spend time with him because he so wants to spend that time with me. I get to. I don’t have to.
It is not just the big issues of life or the selling of all my possessions to follow him. I can please God with my life of humility and servanthood. It is the small things in life done for all the right reasons that please God.
Here is an example. My mom is 94 and has full-blown Alzheimer’s. She is in a dementia care facility very close to us, and we get to visit often. She was eating at a table with a man who needs to be fed every meal by his lovely wife of 65 years. She moved nearby so that she would be available everyday to assist with his special needs. It is so obvious that her love for him has not diminished over the years and over the issues of life. I remarked to her, “That is so good that you care for him in this way everyday.” She responded, “This is what I live for!”
What a great lesson and answer to our question concerning pleasing God. Can we say the same thing—“this is what I live for”? I live to please God, and by his grace, it is possible.
—
Randy Wolff
April 8, 2013
Copyright 2013 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.