Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. -Matt 18: 3-4

Track with me here. It is good to want to please your Heavenly Father. Praising and glorifying Him is literally our #1 job, followed very closely by causing others to do the same, for His glory and our/their good. But here’s the rub: it’s very easy to slip from praise and love borne of gratitude, to striving, oughts, and paybacks.

First: there is NOTHING we could ever do that will measure up or pay back our Father and His Son Jesus Christ for what they’ve done, for first loving and saving us….AND THAT’S OKAY. Second, once we cross into striving, we’re functioning in our own strength, and if we’re honest, our own fear. “Is THIS good enough? Is THIS what He wanted me to do? Uh oh. I didn’t do that. Am I in trouble?” How can this glorify God?

Yes. Whatever we have to offer Him are like filthy rags. And, whatever we give Him is already His, we’re giving back a measly portion of the immeasurably more He’s gifted us. WHAT we give isn’t the point. HOW we give is. Just as we’re called to pursue the heart of the Giver and not the gift, We’re called to give cheerfully, authentically, and generously; it matters not the gift. If all you have in you right now is acknowledgement, Acknowledge Him. A child that receives an allowance from her parents may use it to gift her mother. Does the mother shame her, lack gratitude or pleasure, or think for one moment, “Well, I actually bought it.” No. They praise the child for bringing the gift in the first place, for loving and acknowledging the parent’s place in the child’s heart.

The Lord is entitled to our everything, but asks for one thing: our heart. He wants US, in whatever condition we find ourselves. Rich or poor, top of the world or bottom of the bottle. Bring Him what you have today. As you pursue His heart, acknowledge your position as His child, His daughter. Know that your Father is far more pleased with receiving your authentic praise, sacrifice, and attention than He is with receiving a “gift” given out of obligation, striving, or fear.

Pursue Our Father’s heart today with your heart of a child. Humble yourself. You have nothing He needs.