According to His Good Pleasure

While my sister and I were walking on the beach last week we saw some really cutie kids. I think it was toddler week or something.

We saw one little girl sitting in a big bucket of ocean water right at the shore line. She would just stand up and sit down in the bucket and was having the time of her life. We stood with her mom for a little while and just laughed and laughed. She was obviously afraid to go into the surf but was still getting a great beach experience. She even told us, “Tootle Loo!” as she waved goodbye.

We saw another mom stand at the edge where the surf breaks holding both hands of her little boy. He was stomping and jumping and laughing and having fun. Just as long as he was holding his mom’s hands he was fearless of the waves. Of course he couldn't wave goodbye because he was making sure he kept himself in his place of safety holding her hands.

We saw one little toddler running out to the waves with her dad. She was the independent kind who definitely didn't think she needed any help but her father was there ever watchful. Her dad placed himself at the limit of where she was allowed to go and stood legs apart and hands on hips. His little girl would run into the waves just so far as dad allowed and then run out. Every time she tried to go past his limit he would get in front of her to stop her and she would run out.  This went on for a little while until she fell as a wave broke over her head. Immediately she reached for her father and he scooped her up and held her close.

My sister and I just couldn't help comparing these little incidences with how our Heavenly Father works with His children’s different personalities. All of these toddlers had a wonderful time at the beach according to their parent’s wisdom of their limits. According to their parent’s good pleasure.

Philippians 2:13

For it is God who works in you to will and to work according to His good pleasure.

There are some Christians who experience life and learn and grow more like our Lord from the safety of the “bucket.” They are still maturing as a Christian but at and within their comfort zone. And the Father is pleased because they are becoming more like Him. I kind of think of the Apostle Thomas. He wasn't sure at all about the resurrection of Jesus but Jesus came to him with love and showed him in the way he would absolutely understand. It’s OK if you’re a “bucket” Christian. My sister concluded that she fitted that description.

Some Christians have to be very close to their Heavenly Father. They can do anything as long as they are holding His hands. They don’t strike out on their own but still mature in Christ because they stay so near. They are the “holding hands” type. And God is pleased with that. I think of the Apostle John. He was just fine as long as he was as close to Jesus as he could get. My sister and I decided that I was the “holding His hands” Christian.

And then, my personal favorite type of Christian – “the fearless.” These Christians charge forward for Christ knowing that He is ahead of them setting and directing their limit. He works in their life as they run headlong for His glory. He catches them when they fall because they always reach for Him first. I think this is like the Apostle Peter. He was willing to do anything for his Jesus and always reached to Jesus for help. And our Heavenly Father is pleased with these bold and faithful followers.

Yes, our Father know our personality so intimately

that He helps us become more like Him

within our limits

according to His good pleasure.