what matters to God?

There is a passage in the Bible (Micah 6:8), which I think is profound in its simplicity and power. It reads as follows:

And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?

There are countless opinions about the meaning and purpose of life, and there is no shortage of advice as to the best way to live. While many suggestions are quite helpful, perhaps none is more concise yet far-reaching as this piece of ancient Scripture.

What does God require? What is he after? Simply put, we are to be fair and kind and humble before God. The Message says it this way:

Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don't take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously.

Am I fair to those whom I encounter? Does compassionate flow from my life? Am I kind and caring? Do I demonstrate unconditional love? Am I sensible enough to realize both my shortcomings/imperfections and my need for outside assistance (from God and others)?

These are hard questions to answer. Obviously, we all fall far short on a regular basis, at least I do. But isn’t this a great way of looking at life? Aren’t these the very things we all need to hear?

Of course even these matters might require further clarification, for some will want to know more about this God who gives such counsel. Still, at a certain level, it is good to hear a summary of the big stuff, the stuff that God cares about. With all of the religious talk and spiritual debate that takes place regularly, it is refreshing to be reminded of what truly matters to God, what actually ought to matter for us.

So, what is God interested in? What does he want from us? Well, it appears that he’s looking for us to display mercy. He wants his people to care about others. Kindness and a gentle altruistic spirit are matters about which he is concerned. The promotion of justice, a deep sense of our own limitations and needs, the expression of loyal love–these are the nonnegotiable features of a successful life under God. “Lord, help us (me!) to embody these traits, these distinguishing features of a healthy faith.”