My One Thing

It's early here. Around 6:15 a.m. Yes you read that correctly. I woke up super early (4:00 to be exact) and I could tell there was no going back to sleep. God does this from time to time. I've learned that whatever it is He has planned, is much better than sleep.

This morning struck me as odd. The girls are on winter break at Gram's and Daddy Mack's house, so it's Chad, me and Paddington. Very quiet during the day, so why in the world does He have me up so early? I made my way into the family room, turned on a lamp and found myself in the kitchen making a pot of coffee for me and getting Chad's morning tea ready. (He’s in meetings downtown all week, so he’s leaving extra early and needs his tea!)

I grabbed my Bible study and curled up on the couch, spent some time praying and then proceeded to listen. After a time, I started my study. I asked God this morning if I was to share my "one thing" from last weekend, and He confirmed that yes I was to share that this morning.

I told you that Jill asked us to ask the Lord what one thing is God asking for, from us right now. My one thing was simply to seek only His approval. Holy Approval.

Seems that lately, I've been in several situations where I've had to make a quick decision as to whether I will be a pleaser of man, or a pleaser of God. In theory, it's easy to say that I'm going to be a pleaser of God. In real life though, it can be hard. Especially when you are seeking to please Him and others just don't get it.

With every fiber of my being, I want to please God. I want Him to smile when He thinks of me. I want to walk in obedience, even when it isn't popular. There is no question who my First Love is. He is it for me; I can honestly say that I don't want to take a breath without Him.

But like you, I'm human. I need to hear "good job"! It makes me feel like I'm doing the right thing! What God is showing me right now is that what He asks of me isn't going to always get a human "good job". Because not every human will understand. And you sweet blogging siesta's get this because you know that when we take a stand and write/speak truth, there is always someone who just doesn't understand. For me, there have been times when I've allowed the one person who doesn't understand or disagrees, with something I've written to consume my thoughts.

Anytime I write here, I pray before I start, I pray during and I pray before I hit publish. There have been SEVERAL times that God has changed, deleted, or postponed a post. He's my chief editor, and a blast to write for! His approval is all the approval I need. He's driving that point into my heart right now in every area of my life.

One thing He has impressed on me this week in relation is this: "I simply want you to obey. I'm big enough to handle the consequences of your obedience."