Refocusing and Reframing

As a Christ follower, I’ve often asked myself this question: What can I do that will please God

I’ve tried to obey God most of my life, but all of my good deeds never seemed to be adequate.

Jesus’s disciples also wanted to please God. And when they asked him to show them the way to heaven, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6 niv).

Seek God first every day. As we observe God at work around us, He promises to reveal His plans for us.

Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (Matt. 6:33–34 The Message)

Focus on God’s blessings. God also promises His spiritual inheritance to all Christ-followers.

When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. (Eph. 1:13–14 NIV)

As I choose to focus on God and His blessings, my motivation for serving Him changes:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (Heb. 12:1–2 NIV)