26 May Personal Stories | Striving to Please

My parents encouraged me to memorize Ephesians 6:1 as soon as I could form the words, it seems. I would hear the gentle reminder, “Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.” At the time, I was convinced that they had not read the next few verses that state parents are not to exasperate their children. However, now I am so grateful that my parents instilled not only that verse, but many others into me when I was young. Now I realize that though it was aggravating at the time, my parents were actually fulfilling their calling as parents, given the charge in Ephesians 6:4 to raise their children in the ways of the Lord.

For me, obedience has never been a real issue. I stick to the rules and cringe when others do not follow suit. Where the problem comes is when I become so wrapped up in following rules in order to please others. Most of the time I am not doing what is right simply to do what is right; instead, I want others to notice the good deeds and obedience, which conveys a clear struggle with pride. Ephesians 6:6-7 distinctly articulates that we are to be obedient “not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all of your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”

I am also reminded of Colossians 3:23, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” These reminders are so necessary in my everyday life. I am consumed with thoughts of people-pleasing and often find it hard to rest if people are not happy with me. However, what the Lord requires of me is to be obedient to Him and those that He has lovingly placed over me and follow His will.

Nowhere in Scripture am I asked to make sure everyone is happy or pleased with my performance. I can revel in the fact that God chose to love me before I even had the opportunity to perform or prove anything, and that is the greatest example of true love.

Fighting the urge to please those around me is a daily battle, but one that I do not have to fight on my own. When I became a follower of Jesus, I was given access to the full Armor of God, which equips me to stand strong against these temptations. Every day, I am involved in spiritual warfare, and I must recognize and put to use the tools that I have been given in order to stand against the schemes of the enemy.

It would not make sense for a soldier to be given equipment for battle, yet for him to choose to enter the battlefield without it. Likewise, as Christians, you and I should put on the full Armor of God each day in order that we might stand our ground when evil comes our way. Putting on the full Armor of God is an act of obedience and enables me to be obedient to Him and those He has placed over me.

Hannah Smith, Powdersville Campus