Living Lives That Please God (Part One)

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to chase after wealth, success, and personal gratification, often at the expense of what truly matters—pleasing God. But have you ever paused to ask, What does a life that pleases God actually look like?

It goes far beyond doing good deeds or following religious routines. Living a life that pleases God is about cultivating a heart that seeks Him, walks in His will, and reflects His character in our everyday lives.

Let’s explore three essential steps that guide us into this kind of living.

1. Seek a Personal Relationship with God

The foundation of a God-pleasing life is a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This isn’t built on duty, but on love, trust, and consistent communion. Like any meaningful relationship, it requires quality time—through prayer, studying Scripture, and worship.

Jeremiah 29:13 reminds us, “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” God delights in hearts that intentionally pursue Him. As we spend time with Him, we come to understand His will and grow to reflect His desires. It's in this intimacy that we discover what truly honors God.

2. Live with Purpose and Intentionality

Living a life that pleases God means being deliberate about how we use our time, make decisions, and treat others. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

When we surrender our ambitions to God, He gives our lives greater meaning and direction. Whether at work, at home, or in ministry, we are called to reflect His love and truth. Intentional living involves aligning our everyday choices with His Word and being vessels of His grace in a broken world.

3. Embrace Humility and Obedience

A heart that pleases God is both humble and obedient. Humility acknowledges our need for Him, and obedience reflects our willingness to follow His commands—even when it’s difficult or unpopular.

Jesus modeled this perfectly. Philippians 2:8 says, “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross.” As followers of Christ, we are invited to walk in that same spirit of submission and trust. Obedience is not about mere rule-following—it’s the natural fruit of a surrendered, transformed heart.

We’ll continue this teaching in Part Two, exploring more ways we can align our lives with God’s pleasure and purpose. Until then, reflect on these principles and ask God to help you grow in intimacy, intentionality, and humility.