The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren—A Synopsis (continued). Chapter 9—What Makes God Smile? (pages 69-76) Summary The Christian’s first purpose in life is to please God, which is another way of saying “to make God smile.” Noah was a perfect example of a person who made God smile, and it is from the record of his life that one may learn of the five acts of worship that makes God smile—as follow: 1. Loving God supremely. God created man specifically to have a relationship with him—to love man and to be loved by man. This speaks both of the essence of God and the significance of man. The greatest commandment given by Christ to His disciples, and hence to every Christian, is to love God with all one’s heart, soul and mind. 2. Trusting God completely. Noah not only pleased God by his love for Him, but he also placed complete faith in God’s Word. Although there had never been rain or flooding on the earth and never anything that resembled a boat, Noah did not doubt God when he was instructed to build an ark in view of the coming flood. There existed three problems that could have caused Noah to doubt, which were (1) he had never seen rain, (2) being so far from the nearest ocean, he would have no means of ferrying a huge boat to water, and (3) he knew nothing about “rounding-up” all the animals to go in the ark. But Noah didn’t flinch; he trusted (had faith in) all that God said to him. This made God happy, just as it makes God happy when any of His children trust Him completely, knowing that God knows best for them. 3. Obeying God wholeheartedly. The building of the ark and the rounding-up and loading of the animals demanded great attention to detail. Every specific had to be obeyed in order for it to go smoothly. Noah was up for the task. He obeyed God completely and to the letter. God would have His children to obey Him without reservation or hesitation, exactly and totally. In fact, it is only through immediate, unconditional and enthusiastic (joyful) obedience that one may eventually and fully understand God. Partial (“pick and choose”) obedience won’t “cut it” with God. Although a Christian’s obedience to God has nothing to do with his salvation (obtaining or keeping it), it demonstrates (proves) his worship-love for God and thereby brings Him great pleasure—making Him smile. 4. Praising and thanking God continually. Noah’s first act after being delivered from the flood was to praise and give thanks to God by offering a sacrifice. When the Christian praises and gives thanks to God, this not only pleases God, but it enriches the Christian’s life with joy. It is a reciprocating transaction between God and man. 5. Using God’s gifts of ability. God gave instruction to Noah after the flood that required Noah to use his God-given abilities and talents. And Noah attended to God’s earth and to His instructions with all of these that God had given him. In the same manner, God is interested in every Christian’s life; not in just the so-called “spiritual activities,” but in every single activity—every detail—of the Christian’s life. God is a “proud Parent” to every believer, and He therefore enjoys watching His children in all their activities, even breathing and sleeping. God smiles when His child taps into all his God-given abilities and talents to perform for his Father. In this, God is no different than any proper earthly parent. To the child of God it should never be the amount of pleasure he can obtain from life, but how much pleasure God obtains from his life. Quotes “Since pleasing God is the first purpose of your life, your most important task is to discover how to do that.” (pg. 69) “This is what God wants most from you: a relationship!” (pg. 70) “God made you to love you, and He longs for you to love Him back.” (pg. 70) “Trusting God completely means having faith that He knows what is best for your life. You expect Him to keep His promises, help you with problems, and do the impossible when necessary.” (pg. 71) “Just as parents are please when children trust their love and wisdom, your faith makes God happy.” (pg. 71) “Every parent knows that delayed obedience is really disobedience. God doesn’t owe you an explanation or reason for everything He asks you to do. Understanding can wait, but obedience can’t. Instant obedience will teach you more about God than a lifetime of Bible discussions. In fact, you will never understand some commands until you obey them first. Obedience unlocks understanding.” (pg. 72) “Wholehearted obedience is done joyfully, with enthusiasm.” (pg. 72) “Why is obedience so pleasing to God? Because it proves you really love Him.” (pg 73) An amazing thing happens when we offer praise and thanksgiving to God. . . . our own hearts are filled with joy!” (pg. 73) “Actually, God enjoys watching every detail of your life, whether you are working, playing, resting, or eating.” (pg. 74) “Every human activity, except sin, can be done for God’s pleasure if you do it with an attitude of praise.” (pg. 74) “Like a proud parent, God especially enjoys watching you use the talents and abilities He has given you.” (pg. 74) “You don’t bring glory or pleasure to God by hiding your abilities or by trying to be someone else. You only bring Him enjoyment by being you. Anytime you reject any part of yourself, you are rejecting God’s wisdom and sovereignty in creating you.” (pg. 75) “God also gains pleasure in watching you enjoy His creation.” (pg. 75) “When you are sleeping, God gazes at you with love, because you were His idea. He loves you as if you were the only person on earth.” (pg. 75) “He [God] knows you are incapable of being perfect or sinless.” (pg. 76) “What God looks at is the attitude of your heart: Is pleasing Him your deepest desire?” (pg. 76) “When you live in light of eternity, your focus changes from “How much pleasure am I getting out of life?” to “How much pleasure is God getting out of my life?” (pg. 76) Scriptures Numbers 6:25; Psalm 119:135; Ephesians 5:10; Genesis 6:8, 9b; Hosea 6:6; Matthew 22:37, 38; Hebrews 11:7; Genesis 2:5, 6; Psalm 147:11; Hebrews 11:6; Genesis 6:22; Hebrews 11:7b; Psalm 100:2; 119:33; James 2:24; John 14:15; Genesis 8:20; Hebrews 13:15; Psalm 116:17; 69:30, 31; 68:3; Genesis 9:1, 3; Psalm 37:23; 33:15; Isaiah 45:9; 1 Timothy 6:17; Psalm 103:14; 2 Corinthians 5:9; Psalm 14:2. Conclusion/Comments The Christian’s goal should be to make God smile, that is, to please Him. This is done by loving Him, by obeying Him, by trusting Him, by praising and thanking Him, and by using one’s God-given talents and abilities to serve Him in this life. As a proud Parent, God is interested in every detail of each of His spiritual children. It brings Him immense pleasure watching His children live for Him, and nothing should be more important to his children than to live for Him. By doing so will bring them ultimate satisfaction in life.