My lifestyle choice

"You were planned for God's pleasure.The moment you were born into the world, God was there as an unseen witness, smiling at your birth."
That's how chapter 8 of my "purpose" book starts and it doesn't matter how many times I read that I am moved by it every single time. In my minds eye I can picture a delivery room in January, 1973...God and all of his angels hovered around waiting with baited breath....and then...YAY!!!!!!!!!!! SHE'S HERE!!! SHE'S HERE!!!! :) Sounds of heavenly rejoicing flooding the universe. Hugging, smiling, tears. I love that! Do you realize that's how he felt about you too???? He chose everything about you! And he was....and is still....so happy that you're here!

GOD, the very creator of the universe...the one who has created every sunrise since the beginning of time....

REJOICED at your creation.

Wow, that gets me! It's so hard for me to wrap my brain around! Me? Little 'old me??? But it's true and not one person on this planet will ever have a problem with feeling insignificant again if they remember this. Our very first purpose on this earth is to live for his pleasure.

What does that mean? How do we do that? What brings God pleasure? Well that's simple and it's a one-word answer. The problem is that alot of people misunderstand exactly what this one word means. The word is WORSHIP. We were created to worship...and worship is what brings God pleasure. The problem that we run into, though, and where most people tend to tune-out is that when that word is spoken, most people instantly get images of boring church services. No, no, no my friends....ANYTHING that you do in life with passion, joy and a good heart is worship. Taking your kids camping, watching a sunset, taking your neighbor a plate of cookies, petting your cat or your dog. Anything you can think of that you do with a happy heart and every time you even subconsciously are grateful for something/count your blessings....THAT IS WORSHIP. God notices...and he is pleased! And when he's happy...you're happy! LOL

I think most people either forget or they just don't realize that God has emotions! He is the CREATOR of emotions. To quote the book, "He feels things very deeply. The Bible tells us that God grieves, gets jealous and angry, and feels compassion, pity, sorrow, and sympathy as well as happiness, gladness and satisfaction. God loves, delights, gets plesure, rejoices, enjoys and even laughs!" Every time you smile, so does he. Every time you hurt....so does he. He knows the final plan even when we don't, but that doesn't mean he doesn't feel the emotion right along with us. And in turn, one of the greatest gifts he has given us is the ability to enjoy pleasure!

Worship isn't just a "thing"...it's a lifestyle.

A lifestyle of choosing to be happy. Drama free. Grateful. Gracious. Choosing to see the wonder that remains in the world. Noticing the flowers growing on the side of the highway as we drive. Laughing when someone tries to do or say something funny...even if it isn't particularly funny. :) The mere act of acknowledge that they're trying to be funny or trying to do something to please us can go along way to feed someone's spirit and encourage them. It's using your body for everything it's created for....work hard, love hard....no matter how battered we feel, or sometimes can even start to look. Live....love....laugh....touch....enjoy each other!....be grateful....dance....smile......WORSHIP.