“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT).
Think about your typical week. How many times do you get caught up in feeling pressured by other people—by their lifestyles, their needs, the things they’re doing, or what they expect of you?
If you’re feeling pressured, then there is great news for you: God can set you free from those expectations.
It’s normal to feel pressure to live up to other people’s expectations. Have you ever asked yourself, “What will other people think if I follow this path?” Of course you have. We all have. But it’s no way to live.
Living to meet other people’s expectations is a sure way to get yourself tied up in a knot. You can’t please everyone. You can’t win every popularity poll.
Jesus came to set us free from other people’s expectations. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (NLT).
Take a close look at that verse. First, it says that you are God’s masterpiece. He made you unique. No one else in the world is like you. And God doesn’t want you to try to be like someone else.
The second part of the verse says that God makes you new in Jesus so you can do what he’s planned for you to do. Living for Christ simplifies your life. When you’re living as God’s masterpiece, you only need to do what he wants. You can let go of all the expectations from other people.
Living to please God might seem really difficult, but it’s not as hard as you think. When God makes you new in Christ, he changes your desires. Things that used to tempt you just lose their appeal. Jesus sets you free to be yourself.
Now you can say, “My one goal is to serve the Lord.” And if you’re doing that, you’ll be a better parent, a better marriage partner, a better friend, and a better colleague.
If you’re pleasing God, you’re always doing the right thing—and that makes life so much simpler.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
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