If you don't know it by now, God likes you. Even if you're like me, with failings and flaws, God has gone a long way to make sure you can walk in His like for you.
For so many years, I have tried to win God's like. I made sure that I was ticking all the spiritual boxes. I read the Bible, went to Church, and many other things that would prove my spiritual mettle. Sure it was exhausting, but surely God must like me if I'm doing all that stuff for Him!
Trying to gain approval from God through works is like being invited to a feast with a king and demanding to wash the dishes instead of enjoying the king's feast. While you're out in the kitchen washing dishes, the king is wondering why he is missing out on your company.
Is reading the Bible and going to Church wrong? No! These things can be super-helpful in finding your identity within God's like for you. Sometimes we can forget what God's like for us looks like. Reading the Bible and being a part of Church should remind us of God's like for us and how we can share His like for others.
But if you are doing things to get God's like, then God misses out on walking with you in life, and you miss out by being exhausted trying to get something you already have.
Jesus - I thank you so much for helping me find out how much I mean to you by giving Your life for me and inviting me to be a part of Your plans. When I do things, I want them to be things that celebrate what You have already given me as an overflow of love. And I want to do the things that You are doing.