“We are full of confidence, then, and long instead to be exiled from the body and to be at home with the Lord. ⁹ And so whether at home or exiled, we make it our ambition to please him.
2 Corinthians 5:8-9 (NJB)

To please someone, to bring them contentment, to see them with the peace and joy that comes from seeing life in its completeness.

It’s reading an update from a deacon I serve with, who this weekend celebrates Father’s Day, by seeing his daughter graduate from High School, and his son from Junior High.  They have accomplished the task, they have finished a stage of life, and all is good.  For a moment – a weekend, a summer, it is all good.
I don’t think we get that this same kind of contentment joyous feeling of contentment, of pleasure is experienced by God – when His children are living in His grace, in His peace, as we go through those stages when we “get it” a little more…

When we are baptized (if an adult) and our body reacts to the weight of the sin removed from us, or the look on so many dad’s faces as their children are baptized… and they know the peace that God has poured out on their child, and on them.

When we realize that when we take and eat, and take and drink the Body and Blood of Christ – that it isn’t some act of our obedience that makes it special, but that it is the incredible love of God, spread before us, strengthening our trust in Him, rejoicing in the relationship He has brought us into….

When we love those around us, and show the imprint of the Holy Spirit on our lives.  When we show the mercy and peace and love of God …. in a way that seems natural to us, we may not even realize we are reflecting the love of Christ.  And in that moment, it is not natural – but supernatural.  God working through us, in us… and like a child working at his toy tool bench while his dad is really building something, we too bring a smile to God’s face.. we please Him.

Or when we come crying, broken and beaten up by our sin, and then find the comfort and peace that comes as He cleans us up again… and we allow Him to be our Dad….

It’s not hosting the crusade with 10’s of 1000’s hearing about Christ that is what we can do, to please God, to bring Him contentment….

It’s letting Him be our Father, it’s sharing in His work, it’s in spending time with Him, enjoying His love…

Have a great Father’s Day tomorrow….with your Heavenly Father (today as well!)