My Paisley Chair

I think at some time or another, everyone has felt like they were “walking on eggshells” just to keep someone from becoming angry. Chances are an employer can’t be pleased, an alternative political preference of a loved one, or a person with a short fuse created an atmosphere that caused anxiety. Understandably extra patience and caution are required when working customer service, at family gatherings (can I get an “Amen!”), or dealing with a two-year-old who is trapped in the tunnel of temptation at the check-out.

There are times when relationships are fragile, and situations and interactions require delicate, cautious, and gracious words to avoid a relational breakdown or emotional fallout. On the other hand, there are times (so I’ve been told) that “tromping where angels fear to tread” is more appropriate, but I’m not sure about that. Note to self: Pause and consider this option carefully.

Stealthiest of all!

To maneuver the relationship minefield when it feels like “walking on eggshells in stilettos”, I pray for the stealth of an octopus. (You may not have known… Ms. Google says octopuses are the stealthiest creatures on earth!) What if careful evaluation of E.V.E.R.Y – S.I.N.G.L.E word was not necessary? Wouldn’t that be amazing? Yes, Lord. Please!

Some people live their whole life just trying NOT to make “so-and-so” angry. It becomes an automatic survival mechanism and self-defense norm. This reactionary response, left unchecked, can creep into our relationship with God. Just trying “not to make God angry” is not the sort of relationship anyone wants.

Eggshell walking is not a foundation fir healthy relationships. It is not loving, enjoyable, or sustainable. It is exhausting! Fear of future, or immediate punishment, is not a behavior modification technique that builds loving relationships. It just doesn’t work! One quick glance at our judicial and penal system proves this point.

The “don’t make Him mad” approach is seen in the Old Testament accounts of God’s people. Overlooking the promised blessings of obedience offered to them, they skipped right over to the consequences of disobedience. They chose NOT to pass “GO” or collect blessings! Fear of wrath or judgment is the appropriate response when rebellion and idolatry are present.

Fear and anxiety can be an automatic response due to self-protection mechanisms learned elsewhere, but there is BETTER way!

Some view the God of the Old Testament as “mean and easily offended”, and Jesus of the New Testament as love, grace and kindness. Jesus and God are not on opposite teams competing for your affection by using different means!

The responses to God in the Old Testament lacked the revelation and understanding of God’s love. God loves us and pursues relationship with us! Jesus coming to earth changes EVERYTHING!

We couldn’t know the depth of God’s love until Jesus came!

The “whosoever will” of John 3:16 includes ALL of us – the whole world! Jesus demonstrates God’s love for us and invites us into a BETTER relationship. Now that God’s love is revealed and the invitation to a loving relationship extended, we can transition from “wrath avoidance” to confident friendship! Jesus calls us “friends & family”!

The fear of the Lord is still an appropriate response, but in a different way. Now the fear of the Lord is motivated by love and walked out in obedience. A relationship of reverent respect and mutual love is established by understanding of the love, kindness, and mercy of God. It is the revelation of God’s goodness that brings us to a place of repentance and obedience. On the foundation of love, a life of confidence, security and rest can be enjoyed. When our life is pleasing to God, we have no reason to be afraid of Him, but rather enjoy life with His approval!

Side Note: this was offered to people in the Old Testament, but Scripture says, “they would not”. Hard to imagine turning down such an offer!

A personal connection to our loving God is the best thing this world has to offer! Knowledge that our life is pleasing to God is the best thing EVER! People ask, “Is it really possible to know that our life is pleasing to God?”

Writers of the New Testament recorded hearing God’s audible voice. Each of them heard God say, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17 and 17:5, Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22) It wouldn’t be a stretch to think, of course God was pleased with Jesus, HE was perfect!

To be clear, I have never heard the audible voice of God saying that He is well pleased with me! I don’t have any misconceptions or expectations about my perfection (well DUH!); however, I can still be confident that my life is pleasing to God! I don’t always hit the mark, but it is my aim. I’ve set the trajectory of my life to please God.

I serve at the pleasure of my King!

It’s really not hard to find out what pleases someone or what they like. Absolutely anyone – even God! Just notice: When do they smile? Are their eyes filled with sparkle? Is their countenance shining? Do you want to be with them? Do I feel secure when I am with them?

It’s clear to me that if I want to avoid someone, they probably aren’t pleased with me! I love spending time with people who are pleased with me and it’s the same with God. We enjoy being together when we are pleased with each other!

No Fear When Walking “Worthy”

There are plenty of instructions about how to please God. These are several scriptures that have captured my attention lately about being “worthy”. The word worthy is rather KJV “King James Version”, but that’s how I grew up. Modern language describes living in a manner that is pleasing to God in conduct and attitude by using phrases like: you are a credit to, you stay on the road God called you to, you are fit for the kingdom, deserving of honor, showing exemplary lives of faith.

• “Walking worthy” of the calling of God Ephesians 4:1
• To be “counted worthy” 2 Thessalonians 1:11
• Be worthy “of the gospel of Christ” Philippians 1:27
• Worthy of “the kingdom of God” 2 Thessalonians 1:5
• Worthy “of honor” 1 Timothy 5:17
• “Of whom the world was not worthy” Hebrews 11:38

Walk Worthy? YES I can!

And my favorite verses are the ones that speak of the worthiness of God:
• Revelation 4:11 “Worthy art thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power: for thou didst create all things, and because of thy will they were, and were created.”
• Revelation 5:12 “Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honor, and glory, and blessing.”

God is worthy of my life! All of it! All the time!
To be found pleasing and for His face to shine on me is all I desire!
I don’t need to fear or walk on eggshells; I just need to walk worthy!

Scriptures Referenced:

• Isaiah 28:12 “To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” and “This is the refreshing”; Yet they would not hear.”
• Ephesians 4:1-2 “I beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
• 2 Thessalonians 1:11 “Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,”
• Philippians 1:27 “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ,”
• 2 Thessalonians 1:5 “that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God,”
• 1 Timothy 4:17 “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.”
• Hebrews 11:38 “All of these of whom the world was not worthy, obtained a good testimony through faith…”
• 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
• Romans 2:4 “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”
• John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

Questions I ask myself:

• Have I received the love of God in my heart? If so, do I have any reason to be afraid of Him?
• How confident am I that my life is pleasing to God?
• Do I sense His face is smiling (shining) on me?
• Am I aware of any behaviors in my life that don’t make God happy?
• Am I the one people feel like walking on eggshells around? YIKES! I need to fix that!

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Until next time…