Try

Going out of our way to please others is a great thing to do if you do it for the right reason.

Recently I’ve had the revelation of the fact that pleasing people is futile. As much as you try, it doesn’t seem to ever be enough. I haven’t given up; I just changed my ‘try’.  Galatians 1:10 “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of God.”

One year I tried out for the tennis team. It wasn’t because I knew anything about the game or even enjoyed playing it. My friend was trying out so I did too. Christmas season came along and I saw a tennis-related trinket that made me think of that coach, so I gave it to her. She was surprised at the sentiment. Why was she surprised? Mostly because I didn’t make the team and still had mind to give a gift to her at Christmas.

David was burdened with many of the same issues we face today. You realize it when you read through Psalms. Having a heart like God’s goes much deeper than the fact that David wanted to lead others, he also wanted others to know his God. He wanted to please God and often failed miserably…or did he?

Psalm 139: 23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Have you ever asked God to try you? Of course, we are tried from every side, but have you asked God to try you?

If we were less afraid of failing, I believe more of us would try harder and some of us would try at least!

Tennis wasn’t my deal; I loved horses not weird scoring systems and hitting yellow balls. Honestly, I was relieved to be cut from the roster, but the Spirit gave me discernment that called to show respect and appreciation to that coach who allowed me to try, even though it was likely obvious I had no skill whatsoever. How do I know that trinket wasn’t the only gift she received that year? I do know, without a doubt, that my obedience to Him was pleasing in His sight.

My friend guilted me into trying tennis, but the day someone prompted me to try God, I was intrigued. It wasn’t perfect at first, the effort or the understanding, but today I know one thing for certain, if my goal is to please HIM, I will not fail.

Pleasing others isn’t the purpose of life anyway.