Pleasing God....Continued !

This was the post to my Facebook page from a long time friend of mine!  I felt like it was God saying, "Yes, you are on the right track.  I'm talking to you!"

"...All I really need!"  Well, yes, but my flesh wants everyone to like me.  My flesh wants approval and recognition.  My flesh wants to have my own way....Waaaaaaa!

Yesterday there was some mail left on the floor.....AGAIN!  And one of my coworkers sat there for a least an hour ignoring it.  (He wasn't working mind you)  And I could feel the Lord prodding me....pick it up.  Put it where it belongs.  Here goes the flesh, "I'm not going to do that...no way!  I didn't put it there.  I didn't take that mail in from the mailer!  That coworkers sitting there doing nothing!  That mail is really heavy!"  Oh my, did I want to please my flesh.  I wanted my own approval!  But I couldn't approve of myself if I disobeyed the Lord, could I?  So after about two hours of arguing with my conscience and the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit I picked up the trays of mail. I can't say I did it with the best attitude.  I did it grudgingly.  And I told the Lord so...."I'll do it but I won't like it!"  was the bratty inclination of my thinking.  But as I sit here now, I know I was approved of the Lord for my obedience to His leading.  And you know what, that is really enough for me.

Whether we are living to please our flesh, or the people around us, we will never be happy, never feel at peace until we lay those goals down and live only to please our heavenly Father.  That is where true satisfaction and joy lies.  I'm finding this out through this new season with the Lord.  It's tough. I've always struggled with self-esteem and inferiority issues.  But this series of God visits is leading me to a new level of maturity and growth.

A big thank you to my friend for her obedience to the Lord in posting that quotation.  It was the perfect "God timing !"  And the biggest thank you goes to the Lord Himself for working with me, loving me and making me feel accepted and perfect just as I am, in His sight....(well, He's trying and I am aiming for that deep down knowledge LOL).  Us humans are always a work in progress, right?

Lord, help each of us to live with one goal in mind....pleasing You.  Remind us daily, hourly, minute by minute....whatever it takes to make this mindset a lifestyle.  Thank You.

Who will you live to please today?  Pick one area in your life where you usually live to please others, and ask God to show you how to please Him.