...I feel His pleasure

The sermon this Sunday at Perimeter was on the sacredness of work and the creation mandate--that God calls us to work and created us to work and that our work is meant to be an expression of worship. To work is to pray; "laborare est orare" (I'm having trouble deciphering if this quote originated with Augustine or not... that is who the pastor referenced at least). It was a good message. I was glad of it. When I first saw the topic, I was slightly concerned that I might have a squirming father in the seat next to me, ha. But he was nodding regularly and made a few affirming hmms that assured me that all was well with the world, haha. Christians don't always get this one right--pastor or not.

Anyway, another quote that was brought up came from a scene of Chariots of Fire that was shown. "I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure." Eric Liddell says this to his sister in response to her concern that his running is getting in the way of his missionary work. This got me thinking: when I ____, I feel God's pleasure. What could I put in that blank? I don't think it is my work. I enjoy my work; I am satisfied by my work; I believe that God has called me to it and that it serves His kingdom and purposes. I believe that my work honors and glorifies Him. But I do not necessarily feel His pleasure doing it in the way that Eric felt His pleasure when he ran.

The closest thing I could think of to put in that blank was writing. When I write, I feel God's pleasure. When I write of truth and beauty and love and humankind, when I write from my heart and spirit and really put myself into my writing and work to create something of worth and substance and the words come together to communicate an idea in an accessible and pleasing way, then I feel His pleasure. And when I thought of this, I became concerned about the fact that I have not been writing, and I wondered why this was. I have not felt I have had much to say, and I am not sure if this is laziness or a season or what. But I now think it will be worth it to make writing more of a priority--even when I do not feel like writing or think that I have little to say.

What about you? When do you feel His pleasure? =)