Pleased

Pleased

The LORD’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.

SEVERAL YEARS AGO I began speaking around the same time I started writing regularly. Terrified of public speaking for as long as I could remember, I dreaded the idea of standing in front of others.

So when the first inquiry for speaking came my way, my initial response was Nooo!! But even as my head said no way, I knew in my heart I was supposed to do it, and so I did. I prayed and prepared, and stood with shaky knees in front of that crowd, praying I wouldn’t mess it up too badly. For the next few years as I would get asked to speak, it got easier, but I always had the sense that I had to do a good enough job so God would be proud of me, that it was a test I needed to pass to please him.

Then one day I read in my Bible how God delights in us. And I thought about my own children, how I love them and am proud of them, even when they try and fail. And the realization that God might already be pleased with me—simply because I was obedient to speak when he asked me to—hit deep in my heart. The understanding that I had nothing to prove, that he was proud of me just for being obedient, no matter the outcome, freed me from feeling like I always had to be perfect and settled in my soul the truth that he is already pleased with my efforts and not only delights in me, but rejoices over me.

When we understand that God is pleased with us, even delights in us, things change. We have courage to take steps of faith we maybe otherwise wouldn’t because we know that God’s unfailing love will be there whether we fail or succeed. We don’t have to try to impress God by what we accomplish, he’s pleased simply that we would try.

Lord, may we stop striving for your approval and rest in the fact that you are pleased with us, not because of our successes or in spite of our failures, but just because we’re willing to try. Amen.

-Kendra

One Good Step: How can knowing that God is pleased with you help you step out in faith?