Je veux être bonne avec Dieu

I want to be good to God. I heard myself say this in prayer the other day. Nothing new really, just this overwhelming desire to treat God wonderfully and to please Him constantly. Paul, of course, led the way when he wrote to the Philippians to say that he was praying for them to live lives pleasing to God and to always have the desire to please Him in everything. Pleasing Him is about more than rigid obedience; it's about intertwined hearts pursuing the same goals. It's about attitude, how I act and react toward Him.

Far be it from me, is it really necessary to specify, to suppose or allow myself to insinuate that the Most High would need my little person to ensure His well-being and joy. However, by digging into the Scriptures, it is clear that the behavior of humans provokes different reactions from God; some irritation, some pleasure, some He did not have a high opinion of, some sadness. Something in their way of being did not suit God. 'How long will this people despise me?' said God following the fiasco of the spying of the 12 in Canaan. He made a point of noting the exemplary conduct of two of them. These two are among my heroes.

When you grow up in a large family, you can observe in children differentiated attitudes towards adults and even parents. Some children are pleasant, always inclined to please, not wanting to upset their parents in any way, concerned about their peace; others think only of what they want, whether it bothers others or not, whether the parents pay the price or not, they are the center of the universe; their cries 'I want, I want, I want'. How often we have this behavior with God. Some of His children simply want their 'blessings'. Whether their style pleases the Father or not, it does not matter to them. They live their lives with little regard for His heart, His desires, totally absorbed in their imagined pleasures and displeasures, desires and needs.

It shouldn't be this way. We can be quick to hear, quick to react. We can be quick to respond, quick to believe, like Caleb and Joshua, quick to follow His lead. We can be early in prayer, in communion, in worship, living with our head on His heart. We can honor Him, take Him at His word, and treat Him with every consideration. I want to be good to God.