As I walked on a dusty road to the dining hall in a youth camp this summer in Sao Paulo (my daughter was attending the camp, and I was working on my Doctor of Ministry paper), someone passed by and I almost said to them, obrigado (which means thank you, instead of hello Ola). It is one of the few words I repeat often in my limited Portuguese vocabulary. Thankfully, I did not. I was discouraged at the time, and I lacked focus. I was struggling with my paper and then was reminded of my lack of Portuguese language skills. I was also wrestling with ways I might have failed God.
During this time I was praying that I would know the fear of the Lord. As I walked, I thought, what if the Lord was pleased with me. Was this thought a message from the Lord? Some dismiss such possibilities of a still, small voice speaking to you in your heart of hearts. But what does the scripture say about pleasing the Lord? I know the gospel, I know his grace, I know he loves me - but have I pleased him? When God looks at me, he sees Christ (My life is hidden with God in Christ, Colossians 3:3), whom he loves. This love is not based on my actions or achievements, but on the fact that I am a new creation in Christ.
Kids can try to impress their parents with their accomplishments or athletic exploits. My kids have, at times, done this in their own way. For some, it can take on a constant striving, hoping they can be the special one that makes their parents proud. But I want my kids to know I love them and that love is not earned. No exploits of success or fame can make me love them more. You might grieve over their poor choices, but your affection for them does not change. I pray that they would know the deep, deep love of Jesus - far beyond my love for them.
Why don't I know God's love like that for me? Zephaniah 3:17 states that, "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." The Lord delights in us when we fear him and trust him:
His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. (Psalm 147:10-11)
Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
He is pleased when I'm on the road of walking with him, trusting in him, and confessing my sins. God is grieves when we sin and go off the road he has set put for us. (Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, Ephesians 4:30) but he never looks at us with contempt or disgust no matter what we have done. He yearns for us to come home like the prodigal son. He desires to restore us and bring us to our eternal home where we will always please him.
