No, I’m not rehashing errant field goal attempts from some past Super Bowl!  Nor am I remembering the annual visit to my investment company manager’s office to declare in writing what my dollar goals would be for the new year.  Like I have a crystal ball.  Or some tea leaves to decipher.  Or worse, slicing an animal’s liver to decode the year ahead.

2 Corinthians 5: 9–‘So we make it our goal to please Him (Jesus)…’  St. Paul doesn’t issue a command, but voluntarily decides to please his Lord and Savior.  His preference.  Ours?  Goal #1?  Most of the time it’s you-know-who.  Me!

But who deserves it most?  Guess!  It’s not like God is narcissistic and self-serving, craving endless attention.  Like some people we know, who must always be right.  Know-it-all smart alecks.  Talk incessantly about themselves.  A regular I love me.  Boring beyond measure.

No.  He’s not needy like we are.  After all, He actually deserves our attention, praise, and worship.  Because He’s Lord of all… always.  Don’t rob Him of what’s rightfully His.

And, by the way, we owe Him.   2 Corinthians 5: 15–‘And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.’  Crystal clear?  Shouldn’t we live for Him?  The answer’s way too obvious.  Here’s the goal–  ‘…for him.’  Again ‘…for him.’

All this week, we’ll have choices to make.  To please God?  How?  Don’t ask me.  Ask Him.  By the way, why not admit it.  We know what pleases God.  Don’t we?  Then do it!

Lord, to follow Jesus is absolute joy.  Thank you.  Amen.