Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – 2 Timothy 2:4

I remember a time when I wanted more than anything to have a date to homecoming. I wanted someone to ask me to go with them. Yet because I lived my life so much to please everyone and not offend, I was never my real self. As a result, even though I was trying to get others to like me, they really didn’t.

I was caught in a trap of pleasing people and yet not feeling fulfilled because of it. Pleasing people is a trap. And if we’re not careful, it will lead us down a path that isn’t emotionally healthy.

In the devotions this week, we’ve talked a lot about living to please God rather than living to please people. Today’s Bible verse talks about this.

No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. – 2 Timothy 2:4 (NIV)

As soldiers in God’s army, we are to be concerned about pleasing God, rather than being tied up with the things of this world. And yet, it’s easy to get this backward. It’s often easy to think so much about other people and what they think of us rather than thinking of what God thinks.

When we chase popularity and pleasing people rather than a relationship with God, we will always be disappointed in the end. Popularity is fleeting, but a relationship with God is eternal. So challenge yourself to pursue things that are eternal. Determine to make knowing God your priority and living your life for Him. As you do, you’ll find the fulfillment that you desire.