Aiming To Please God

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10

“Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.” (2 Corinthians 5:8-9)

When life’s uncertainties finally hit and we find ourselves wondering, what should I do with my life?, we must realise that our home is in heaven and our duty is to please God. 

Firstly, we do not belong here on earth. Therefore, all worldly joys and pleasure should by no means be our slightest concern. We are sojourners in this land. We are not here to pursue the things on which the world prides. We were not created to pursue wealth and luxurious lifestyles as our ultimate end. We were not created to pursue family or friends as our ultimate end. We were not created to boast our name and seek a lasting legacy as the ultimate end in our life. 

We have been called out of this world into a new life in Christ. Our home is in heaven, where we will rejoice and enjoy the presence of God forever. We were created for God and an intimate relationship with Him. And so, whether we are in heaven or on earth, our duty is to please God. 

Although our life’s plan foreword may be uncertain, know that our ultimate end is to please God. What will I be when I grow up? I will be God’s servant who follows Him wherever He leads as I pilgrim towards my heavenly home. Along the way, I am called to obey Him, trust Him, and get to know Him and His glorious graces. 

Pray that God will be merciful to us and lead us in His faithfulness wherever He wills. 

THOU GOD OF MY END,

Thou hast given me a fixed disposition

      to go forth and spend my life for thee;

If it be thy will let me proceed in it;

  if not, then revoke my intentions.

All I want in life is such circumstances

  as may best enable me to serve thee in the world;

To this end I leave all my concerns in thy hand,

  but let me not be discouraged,

    for this hinders my spiritual fervency;

Enable me to undertake some task for thee,

  for this refreshes and animates my soul,

    so that I could endure all hardships and labours,

    and willingly suffer for thy name.

But, O what a death it is to strive and labour,

  to be always in a hurry and yet do nothing!

Alas, time flies and I am of little use.

O that I could be a flame of fire in thy service,

  always burning out in one continual blaze.

Fit me for singular usefulness in this world.

Fit me to exult in distresses of every kind

  if they but promote the advancement

    of thy kingdom.

Fit me to quit all hopes of the world’s friendship,

  and give me a deeper sense of my sinfulness.

Fit me to accept as just desert from thee

  any trial that may befall me.

Fit me to be totally resigned to the denial

    of pleasures I desire,

  and to be content to spend my time with thee.

Fit me to pray with a sense of the joy

    of divine communion,

  to find all times happy seasons to my soul,

  to see my own nothingness,

  and wonder that I am allowed to serve thee.

Fit me to enter the blessed world

    where no unclean thing is,

  and to know thee with me always.

Service and Equipment: Valley Of Vision