March 17 — One True Goal

The Quill and Me—Devotional Blog•Oswald Chambers Reflections 

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Mar 17
Today's Reflection from My Utmost For His Highest
2 Corinthians 5:9
"We make it our aim ... to be well pleasing to Him" 

One True Goal

Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:9 cut through every lesser ambition: “We make it our aim… to be well pleasing to Him.”

Chambers reminds us that this aim is not automatic. It requires a conscious, steady decision — a daily turning of the heart toward the One who called us. It is so easy to drift into good things that quietly replace the best thing. Ministry, service, helping others, even spiritual work can become distractions if they shift our gaze from Christ Himself.

Paul lived like a musician who cared nothing for applause, only for the approving glance of his Conductor. That image exposes how quickly we can begin performing for outcomes, for usefulness, for visible fruit — instead of for the pleasure of God alone.

Chambers warns that anything, even something noble, that diverts us from the central goal of being “approved to God” becomes a danger. It can disqualify our hearts long before it disqualifies our hands. Our public worth to God is always shaped by our private obedience.

So we must ask ourselves:

Is my primary aim truly to please Him?

Or have I allowed something good to become the thing I chase?

To keep our aim clear, we must continually bring our motives into His light — not to fear rejection, but to remain aligned with the One who leads us. When our eyes stay on Jesus, the path stays straight, the heart stays soft, and the goal stays pure.

Prayer

Lord, keep my heart centered on You alone. 

Let every desire, every effort, and every hidden motive be shaped by the longing to please You. 

Align my life with Your will, and steady my steps in Your light.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Breath Prayer

Inhale: Fix my eyes on You

Exhale: Make my aim to please You

May my life move in the direction of Your pleasure, Lord, one surrendered step at a time.

~ Quil

Scripture References

2 Corinthians 5:9 — “We make it our aim… to be well pleasing to Him.” 

2 Timothy 2:15 — “Approved to God…” 

Hebrews 12:2 — Fixing our eyes on Jesus 

Colossians 3:17 — Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus 

Colossians 3:23–24 — Work heartily, as unto the Lord 

Galatians 1:10 — Seeking God’s approval, not man’s 

John 8:29 — “I always do those things that please Him.” 

Romans 12:1 — Present your body as a living sacrifice 

Philippians 1:10 — Approve the things that are excellent 

Psalm 19:14 — “Let the words of my mouth… be acceptable in Your sight.” 

Psalm 27:4 — One thing I desire… to behold the beauty of the Lord 

1 Thessalonians 4:1 — Walk and please God 

Micah 6:8 — What the Lord requires: justice, mercy, humility