Most of us have people we're trying to please: a spouse, parents, employers, even our own expectations of ourselves. Despite all our talk of freedom to live life on our own terms, we spend a lot of time trying to measure up to the expectations of others, hoping for acceptance.

A lot of us do this with God. We imagine God wants us to measure up, to be good people, to achieve his high standard, and by doing so we'll earn his acceptance.

Does it sound like good news that God's acceptance of you is based on how well you're doing? No, but there is good news!