“…just as you have received from us how you ought to walk and please God.”  I Thess. 4:1

by Dwight Edwards

It’s absolutely stunning if you really think about it. You and I have the capacity to impact the emotional life of God. The Creator and Sustainer of the universe is not a deified Mr. Spock (apologies to you who have never followed Star Trek), an unimpassioned overseer of man, or an omniscient stoic. He is a living, moving, passionate, feeling God. And, because of this, our actions do matter. But perhaps for reasons we do not think of often enough.

From Genesis to Revelation we find a God Who “delights”, “abhors”, is “well pleased”, is “angered”, etc. And our obedience or lack thereof serves as much of the fuel for His emotional fire. Almost sounds heretical doesn’t it? And it would be if we pushed it too far. God’s well-being does not fall apart when we rebel. But don’t think for a minute it doesn’t have impact.

According to Paul is not enough for us to “walk”. We are also called to “please”. Or, perhaps better, the reason behind our walking is to please. And we dare not pass by this too quickly. You and I are given the amazing privilege of being able to send a shot of joy to the heart of God. To bring a smile to His face. To provide a taste of delight to His palate. Feast on that for awhile. And whether anyone is watching or not, whether our small, faltering steps of obedience make an immediate difference or not; one thing remains certain. In a world that is continually breaking the heart of God, we can number among the minority who actually bring Him some long overdue delight. And that, it seems to me, is one of the best reasons for obedience I know. Just something to think about…