In my morning reading, I ran across a question that really challenged me to reflect and reevaluate. Paul wrote this question in his letter to the churches in Galatia: "Am I now trying to win human approval, or God's approval? Or am I trying to please people?" (Galatians 1:10a).These two questions made me pause and ask myself, "Am I living to win the approval of others or God? Am I living to please others, please myself, or please God?" A larger question might be: Who am I living for? Am I living for myself? Am I living for others? Am I living for God?
If I am living for God, if I am living to please God, then that changes how I make decisions and how I approach my day. At the beginning of the day, I reflect on my schedule, tasks, responsibilities. I lay my plans before God and ask, "Would God approve of these plans? Are these plans pleasing to God? Should I add or remove anything accordingly?" As I go through my day, I reflect on my thoughts, words, and actions. I prayerfully ask, "Would God approve? Would God be pleased? Do I need to make a shift accordingly?" And at the close of my day, I look back and ask, "Would God approve? Would God be pleased? Is there something I need forgiveness for? Is there something I need God's help changing for tomorrow?"
The Good News is that we have unconditional love and grace from God. Nothing we do or fail to do can ever forfeit God's love for us. But God loves us so much that God wants the very best for us. In fact, God gave his very best for us so we can be forgiven and made new through the power of the resurrection. Sadly, we often get distracted and drift from God, falling short of God's best for our lives. Perhaps these questions can drive us back to God's grace and purpose for our lives.
These questions are already changing how I live my day. I challenge you to use these questions as you begin, end, and go through your day.
Share your insights and application ideas...
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