Ever wonder what God wants? What He expects of you? And then, if you have a clue, how you’re doing with that? Is your scorecard looking like a winner? Or do your grades put you in the lower half of your class, wearing a dunce cap in the hallways of heaven?

Despite what I’ve done for the Lord, I still feel like I’ve let Him down. Been a slackard, goofing off when Jesus could have used more commitment from me. Of course, can any of us ever do enough for our God?

I don’t want to think that I spent five years hosting a local testimony TV show, where we used to live and minister, just to get my mug displayed on the one-eyed monster. Or stayed for a long time at our last church, fourteen years in all, to see if the church family could stand us long-term? Or write these devotionals for over eleven years and publish two books just to make a profit; which, to be honest, has gone the other direction. Even with all of the above, I feel ashamed that more hasn’t been accomplished for my Lord.

Then I read John chapter 6, and it’s the best medicine for whatever ails you–‘And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life…’ (John 6: 39-40).

So, that’s what God wants of me? To hang in there with Him and not reject Him? To be the son He’s called me to be? Just to be His and His alone? And to act accordingly? Not to try and earn my way into His heart? Or to do enough good to outweigh the bad? Or pull some strings by getting to know the right religious folk? As in some high-powered spiritual networking?

Now, back to that question of what God wants. Simply put, to trust in Jesus. To get as close to Him as we can. Listening to Him, our ears to His ground, found in our Bible. Praying often, not only in emergencies or when all else fails. Leaning hard His way. Believing when we’re told that the evidence seems contrary. Being on His team even when we appear to lose big games. Staying loyal to Jesus as He does to us–‘And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me…’ (John 6: 39).

We are the Father’s gift to the Son. A gift, in the best sense of the word, is not earned but offered without strings, and received with heartfelt thanks. Jesus accepts us as His Father’s gift. A divine present that we’ll always be His, cherished and precious. ‘Safe and secure from all alarms,’ as the old hymn reminds us.

So, this week, let’s believe in Jesus, which can be a tall order. Nevertheless, throw caution to the wind and trust Him anyway. Follow Him wherever He leads, tossing whatever comes our way at His feet (especially when we falter and fail), staying right there with Him no matter what, never leaving His side. Never. That’s exactly where God wants us to be.

Lord Jesus, thank you for making me yours forever. Amen.