If I interviewed the people closest to you – spouse, co-workers, family, friends – and asked them to describe you, what words do you thing they would choose?  Loyal, hardworking, lazy, generous, educated, irresponsible, funny, devoted, … what? 

Last Sunday, we looked at the life of Noah as an example of what pleases God.  Of all the descriptions of Noah – righteous, blameless, tenacious, … the most profound is the declaration in Gen 6:9 that he “walked with God.”  Only one other person in the Bible is described this way and he was a guy named Enoch.  What an amazing description of a life well-lived, of a truly successful person … that he or she walked with God.

It is important to understand that God made you for himself … God made you for just the kind of relationship Noah enjoyed with Him.  In fact, the primary characteristic of heaven is that it will mean ongoing fellowship with God.  (I think it is strange that some folks hope to get into heaven but have no use for God in this life … they have no time for God right now but seem to think they want to spend all eternity with Him?!)  

The way you approach life and service to God determines the quality of our service.  Close your eyes and imagine for a moment that you are on a grand stage looking out over a vast audience …

 … for whom are you performing?  For your grandmother who traveled in to watch you, for your parents or friends from church or maybe for your boss (who holds the power of promotion and compensation over you).  In a sense, this is the way we live our lives … on a stage before a large audience of family, peers, critics and cynics … and we must decide who we will please.

We will not please everyone.  If we are playing to the crowd then we will find it very difficult because the rules continually change.  Some people respond to this problem by becoming sort of “schizophrenic” … they act different ways around different groups of people always trying to satisfy the ever changing expectations.  Proverbs 29:25 says that kind of living is a trap!   

Imagine that God himself is sitting in your audience watching you life your life.  There are some things you may do or say that might cause some to laugh … but would the Lord think it was funny?  There may be people who would applaud you for using other people and looking out for #1 … some who will cheer you on for giving generously … some will boo you for standing against what is wicked … or criticize you for walking by faith.  So decide - who are you going to please?

Noah “walked with God” … a translation of this might be: Noah decided that pleasing God was more important than pleasing anyone else!  So, he was able to faithfully build an ark and preach repentance for over 100 years … in a place where it had not rained, was not near an ocean and when no one repented of their wickedness … but he persevered because God was cheering and whooping and hollering His applause! 

As I mentioned Sunday, the expression “walk with God” carries the idea of ongoing fellowship, trust and obedience.  But how does it happen?  If you are like me and want to please God with all your heart then the question is, “how do I get started?” Here are some suggestions:

#1      Make the spiritual decision to please God with your life – even if others do not like it.  Talk to             God and ask for His help to stay   focused on pleasing Him above all else.

#2      Find out what matters to God by reading His word on a regular basis. 

#3      Take God with you everywhere you go … to work, school, driving, church, neighborhood.  Talk to the Lord about what you are    felling, thinking, concerned about, … about everything.

#4      Make a commitment to follow God’s plan and not try to persuade Him to do your plan.  Be open to God changing your mind and   values as you get to know Him and spend time with Him.

What a wonderful epitaph to a life …”(your name) walked with God.”  When it is all over, it will not be bank accounts, educational degrees, houses toys, influence or affluence that will be applauded … it will be whether or not Jesus declares “well done, my good and faithful servants … enter into your reward.”  May hearing those words be our goal!

Blessings,

Pastor Paul