For His good pleasure

Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Sometimes I loose sight of this. Sometimes I fail to recognize God at work in me and what an incredible and undeserved priveldge this is.
Sometimes, I am so quick to look for approval and fulfillment in every other thing/person/place that this verse is the furthest thing from my mind when in reality it's a continual cause for rejoicing. It's a continual reminder to build each moment on purpose, with integrity and earnest desire to glorify my Savior.
Yesterday, I had a dentist appointment at 7am...not my brightest idea, but I made it there. Had my yearly exam by the doctor (no cavities! yaay me!) and then headed to my cleaning.
My dental hygienist is a cute little Russian lady whom pretty sure scares the plaque right out of my teeth! If you've seen Parental Guidance she's like the dentist version of the the violin instructor and twice a year she lazers my sensitive gums and shuns me.
But yesterday was a special day. No laser
for these gums! AND.. Are you ready for this?
She said she was proud of me! She said she was so happy with the condition of my gums and teeth and Oh! How I rejoiced inside! I did it. I finally got her approval. I'm so awesome!
This sounds ridiculous..because while its the truth about me..it's the ridiculous truth about me.
I love to please people, keep them happy and earn their approval.
It can,in fact, be beneficial in life to care for others and want them to be happy- but it must never be at the expense of forgetting who I am and more importantly, Who is at work in me!
Ephesians 2:10 never stops reminding me that I am His workmanship, His poeima, His functional artwork created in Christ Jesus for good works that He has ordained ahead of time for me to simply walk through as a witness of His redemptive power, as an example of His strength being perfected in weakness, as art that forces people to ask "Who made this?!"
This is for His good pleasure, not the approval of man, not a warm and fuzzy feeling inside, not even for the sake of my own reputation or identity..
And how grateful and blessed I am because of this!
It's good to be HIS workmanship!
When today feels like I'd rather stay in bed and cuddle my blankies because there are so many ways i could fail at life or because i just dont feel motivated to get up, this perspective forces me up, and with excitement, to see what He has for me today and to rejoice in what He has already done for me on the cross.
Today I'm taking my thoughts captive, I'm not allowing my heart or mind to be fooled-
it is God who is at work in you and me today
and the motivation is completely His pleasure
and I will have no greater privilege or higher calling for this Tuesday!

Help me to hide this in my heart today,Lord. You are my Master and Redeemer and there is no friend like You! fix my heart and mind, my desires and motivations on You alone today. Keep my feet from running to others for that love and acceptance and approval. Guard my heart with your Word. Make my eyes to see you continually at work in me and make me to rejoice in You today. Be the joy of my salvation! I want to be totally submitted to Your craftsmanship and in pursuit of Your glory! Help me please! I love you and I am sooo thankful for Your Son, so moved by His commitment to me when I am both undeserving to begin with and unfaithful even still. Be honored in me! Be exalted in and through my life today! In Jesus precious Name, amen!