Our best is sufficient...

Greetings all ~ looking back at my life, I have found that the reason it took me so long to come around and seek the Lord was simply wrongful percepton. I don't know about you, but I thought I had to be perfect or something, because that is how I perceived other people who were bold enough to call themselves "Godly". I thought it was audacious for someone to even use the word to describe how one could be. Until I met Him.

Even that is something I never thought I could, or should say. And it kept me away. Away from God? Not really, He was near me I am sure, but my back ws toward Him. And when I sin, it is as well. Fortunately, a closeness with God helps me to identify what is displeasing to Him, be it in the way I might treat somebody or even just my attitudes about anything at all. And I think it all starts with our attitude really, and then it becomes an outward sin as it becomes an action. (...that's how I see it, at least...).

Reading "The Purpose Driven Life" lately has really brought some simple truths to light. Pastor Rick Warren writes: "What God looks at is the attitude of your heart: Is pleasing Him your deepest desire? This was Paul's life goal "More than anything else, however, we want to please Him, whether in our home here or there" 2 Cor 5:9, TEV When you live in the light of eternity, your focus changes from "How much pleasure am I getting out of life" to How much pleasure is God getting out of my life"? and The Bible says "The Lord looks down from Heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who are wise, who want to please God". Psalm 14:2 , LB (pp 76, from "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren)

I can tell you for sure that I, Eric, have displeased God more times than I can remember. But it is comforting to how that He is ultimately and lovingly concerned with those who want to please God. A matter of heart, then action.

So, I must conclude that, as in the illustration above, we were introduced to the way, the truth, and the life by somebody, and we have our "ladder to climb" per se, as a way of life, and it's exciting and inspiring, because all the while we are actually living the life, we can see the light and feel the warmth as we get closer to Him, our perspective improves with every rung we climb, and not a single bit of energy in this is wasted. But when we divert, well, the ladder may as well be sideways. We don't get closer unless we climb in the right direction. To Him!

I was out shopping with my family this evening, and I was watching my daughters "doing their best to behave", fidgeting and fussing, and being rather difficult... yet they were being good enough, despite being disobedient to varying degrees... As much as I wanted them to behave perfectly, it never changes my heart for them. Funny how they eventually behave not simply when they are told to, but when they realize they have let me down. Tome, this serves as a living parable of the scriptures.

Simply stated: I care, they matter, they know it, and it changes their attitudes and actions... (and, boy, am I happy when it finally does !)

Also, from this chapter of text, comes a point to ponder from our good Pastor Rick Warren...
"God smiles when I trust Him"
Verse to remember: The Lord is pleased with those who worship Him and trust His love" Ps 147:11 CEV
Question to consider: Since God knows what is best, in what areas of my life do I need to trust Him most?

That's why I like to say "God bless you as you keep Him first in all you do" because it's so obvious that He blesses us anyway (ie: you are breathing!), but the relationship we have once we do put Him first is indescribable..., and to me, I can't expect my relationship with Him to be at it's fullest (the greatest blessing) unless I am doing this myself.

Praise the Lord! (and make sure to show someone how to climb!)

Agape,
E