Living to Please God and Yourself!

So many times we make decisions or choices depending on what everybody else thinks or what is trendy at the moment. We look at fashion, home design,  cars, phones, and so many other choices that we make for our lives, and we allow the ads to determine what we buy or what we bring into our homes. We make decisions based on what is popular at the time, or  what  will give us a  certain look or reputation. 

Friends, that is so wrong. I guess the question I want to ask you is this: Who are you trying to impress?  Who is it in your life that is so important that they have the power to set the standard for you and how you live your life? Why do you give them that much power over you? 

Let me tell you Friends, you will be so much happier if you make decisions based on what you actually like rather than what’s popular. You look at a purse and it has to have a certain brand, or you won’t even consider it. Same thing with your shoes and your clothes…and then that same attitude follows to the car you drive, or the neighborhood you live in…but the question is, are you doing it because it appeals to you personally, or is it because the name brand will impress your friends? Is it simply to make you look like something you really are not. Not to mention the debt you have to constantly deal with in order to make false impressions in order to please others. 

A lesson we all need to follow is to be true to our own selves, our financial standing and our own desires. If you don’t learn that lesson early in life, you will become a slave to the opinions of others and you will pay dearly for it. 

I see ads all the time telling me how I should redesign my home, and I look around my little apartment, and I see a lot of things that don’t exactly fit into a Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, but I see things that I love. My bookshelves…I understand that bookshelves are not very popular anymore, but I love my book collection. It gives me a certain amount of comfort when I see it in my home…so I forgo the trends and keep what makes me happy. 

And I look at my purse collection. I went on a Vera Bradley kick a few years back and bought several of them that I liked. I like the way they look, and the ones I have are just the right size and have all the right pockets and compartments for what I need. And so I keep about 3 of them. Now, I realize that I could spend a lot of money for more popular brands, but the ones I have are exactly what I need…and most importantly…I like them. I’m happy with them and if my friends are going to judge me according to the name on the purse I carry, I have a much bigger problem than I thought. 

Friends…our job is not to impress those around us. Our job is to be loving and helpful to others. Our priorities should be living a life that is peaceful and that makes our hearts happy. Those name brands that you see on TV or the trends that are popular are never going to make you happy. You really don’t need every new electronic gadget that hits the market. Think about what brings a smile to your face, or warmth to your heart. That’s what matters. Spend more time considering the things that enrich your life and the lives of those around you. 

I want you to think about this…in your life, develop the habit of living to impress only two people. You always  want to do what pleases God and makes Him proud of you…and you want to live a life that will bring you happiness. Now, that will mean that some other people will not like you…but that’s okay. Nobody ever said that EVERYBODY will like you. But the truth is that you will be much more content, and the joy in your soul will be your reward. 

Friends, the Bible is very clear about shunning the things of the world and avoiding covetousness.  You will never buy enough high-end products to make you happy. So just settle for being content in your own heart and in so doing bringing a little more joy to your Heavenly Father. And don’t forget to be helpful, encouraging and loving to those around you. That is what will give you the happiness and contentment you desire.