Becoming God-pleasers, not men-pleasers

Christine had just written a promotional exam in expectation of a promotion into the next level of her career. Her new boss, Mike, is difficult to please and while Christine tries her best, she still manages to get on his nerves.

On Monday morning, Christine resumed for work at Angels Care Retirement Village, where she cared for elderly people. She went into Room 4 to meet a patient named Frank. While taking Frank for a walk around the village blocks, she met Mike who asked her to see him later.   

When Christine got to Mike’s office, he handed her a Patient Care policy note.

“Several patients have been complaining about you. You have been refusing to give them a cigarette when they asked for it to calm their nerves”, Mike said, accusing Christine.  

“I have been exempted from handing out cigarettes to residents as it is against my faith. Besides, I lead the Quit Smoking Group and encourage residents to quit smoking”, Christine calmly explained.

“I’m not aware of the exemption. I will have to review that as we don’t want our patients feeling deprived of their needs”, Mike replied.  

Christine took the issue to God in prayer. She prayed for the exemption to remain in place. Over the next few weeks, she faced different panels to defend her refusal to give out cigarettes. At the end, no changes were made, and the exemption remained in place. While her promotion was delayed, she was eventually promoted.

If we truly want to please God, He will make it possible for us. He might not change the circumstance, but He will always help us with our reactions – perhaps giving us more courage, grace, strength, patience, faith, wisdom, etc. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling (Psalm 46:1-3).

 God sees and knows our heart desires to please Him. He has made provisions for all that we need to live in a way that will please Him here on earth. “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue (2 Peter 1:3).

When we set our hearts and minds to pleasing only God and doing His will, we will not be afraid of the opinions and threats of men. Like Peter and the apostles who were threatened to stop teaching in the name of Jesus, we can say, “….We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

God will not fail to reward our faithfulness in pleasing Him and choosing to do His will even when it might cost us something – a position, privilege, relationships, etc.

Like Christine, we can be sure that God will always deliver us and come to our rescue at all times – if we call on Him to help us. “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him (Psalms 91:14-15).