“So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:9 (ESV)

Motives From The Heart

When my brother and his wife come to visit with us, I find it admirable to watch them quietly plan their days together. They make a list daily of whom they can help to accomplish a particular need.

They always have a project to achieve in their travels to homes they reside in for their limited stay, and If they weren’t able to get all of the said projects completed that were listed, they would then keep that list for their next visit, and add to it if need be. They listen to people’s needs and write them down, or make a mental note while steadily going about their business.

My other brother often has young or middle-aged men come to his home asking for financial assistance in exchange for work done on his property. There’s always some brush and tree trimming to do from the effects of the CARR Fire, as well as sawing and splitting the large tree trunks, clearing and raking all the trimmings followed by making a burn-pile (there seems to be an art for burning the pile of debris.) I’m always amazed to see how much work can be accomplished in one day; however, to those who worked, it may not appear as if the load has been depleted because of the amount of work that is yet needed to be done—not to mention the usual maintenance of his gorgeous yard.

I’m not sure if my brothers realize how much it means to the people they bless, or if their deeds go unnoticed; either way, it is their aim to please our Lord. Jesus teaches us that even the smallest gift—when given with the right heart—is rewarded. He shares this with us in Matthew 10:42.

There are many opportunities in life on our journey with our Lord to please Him. He is our supervisor, if you will, and we need only answer to Him and aim to please Him; however, we are  called to be submissive in the workplace to those who are in authority over us regardless of whether it’s challenging, seems unfair, or if we disagree—we are still accountable to our Lord. We must honor and glorify Him in whatever we do and wherever we are. “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men” (Colossians 3:23).

God has given us believers special gifts, talents, spiritual gifts, and an individual purpose to fulfill on this earth, and we should daily ask ourselves, “Did I aim to please God today—did I purpose to honor and glorify Him?” What we do today for our Lord affects our eternal reward.

Lord, may we purpose to be obedient to Your will , and be persistent to please You in all that we do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.