Who are you constantly ambitious for and striving earnestly to please?

In 2 Corinthians 5:9, Paul tells us that whether he is at home [on earth away from Him] or away from home [and with Him], he is constantly ambitious and strives earnestly to be pleasing to Him [God]. 
And I ask myself, “Am I constantly ambitious and striving earnestly to please God?” And what does that look like -- being constantly ambitious and striving earnestly? 

• Ambitious - “having or showing a strong desire and determination to succeed” 

• Earnest - “showing sincere and intense conviction” 

(Oxford languages) 

What pleases God? Just to mention a few: 

1. Faith - trust in, lean on, rely on Him - without faith, it’s impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6)

2. Loving God; loving others - the two most important commandments (Matthew 22:37-39)

3. Obedience - if we really love Jesus, we will keep His commands (John 14:15)

If I’m having faith in God, loving Him, loving others, and obeying His Word, then I am “living in Jesus.” I’m living so vitally connected to Him like he describes in John 15:5 that I’m doing nothing apart from Him. 

If I’m determined and sincere in my efforts to please God, then I’m determined and sincere in my efforts to hear the voice of God through His Holy Spirit and through His Word. 

If I’m determined and sincere in my efforts to please God, then I talk to Him every morning when I wake up. I thank Him for another day to love Him and others through my words and deeds. I ask Him to direct my steps. And I listen. I ask Him about anything and everything that concerns me throughout my day. And I listen.

Our culture celebrates self-reliance. I guess that’s no surprise that it teaches the exact opposite of what we need to please God. 

I want to be constantly ambitious and seek earnestly to talk with Jesus throughout my day. To practice this habit of talking to Jesus. To practice the habit of depending on Him, not me. To practice the habit of consulting Jesus first. To abide - live in - Him.

Lord, help us to be constantly ambitious and strive earnestly to stay close to You, to talk with You, to listen to You. To trust You. To love You. To obey You. To abide - live in - You. To abide in You and praise Your name as we bear much fruit through You. To know that You love us and You have the best plans for us--better than any we could ever imagine. Lord, help us to remember Jesus First. Thank You Lord Jesus for loving us.