His Pleasure

About six years ago, I was in a different church than I'm in now. I can't recall how it came up, but mention was made of the movie, 'Chariots of Fire.' The crowd was probably, overall, several years younger than I am, and they all had the 'deer in the headlights' look. They didn't even know about this classic movie! I was shocked! I guess I thought every believer had seen this movie! (not realizing, of course, at the time, the age difference)

All this to get to one line in the movie that has always stuck with me, and which I love. The movie is about Eric Liddell, a Scottish Christian who ran for the glory of God. In a conversation with his sister, he says, "I believe that God made me for a purpose. But He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure."

Isn't that WONDERFUL??? to do something and feel His pleasure? Have you ever? Or, have you, and then given into the enemy's condemnation, instead feeling GUILTY for feeling that pleasure and mistakenly labeling it as your own, and not His? Oh, such robbery! God has placed gifts and talents within EACH of His children and when we operate in these, why would we NOT feel His pleasure? Maybe it's a craft you love, but consider it 'non-spiritual.' If you love doing it and are good at it, why should you consider it as NOT something He has put within you? Or maybe you love doing it, but never share it with others so they can benefit from it. Well, then, maybe you are 'hiding your light under a basket.' As Mark 4:21 says, 'Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand?' Do you consider running 'spiritual?' Well, most people probably don't, but Eric Liddell did, because he felt God's pleasure when he did it!

I have had the thrill of feeling His pleasure and I am thankful. We are called to be co-laborers with Him, are we not? And He is full of grace. So, wouldn't it make sense that He would allow us to feel His pleasure when operating in the gifts and talents that He has placed in us? Oh, may you feel His pleasure! Ask Him what you can do that would allow you to feel His pleasure as you do it! (I dare you!)