What Gets the Attention of God?

What Gets the Attention of God?

In a world clamoring for attention, where notifications ping constantly and everyone competes to be seen and heard, there's a question worth pondering: What gets God's attention? Not the attention of employers, social media followers, or even our closest friends—but the attention of the Almighty Creator Himself.

The book of Malachi presents us with two contrasting groups of people. The first group speaks harsh words against God, complaining that serving Him is useless. They look around and see the wicked prospering while they struggle, and they wonder if faithfulness pays off. "What profit is there in keeping God's ordinances?" they ask. They call the proud blessed and observe that evildoers seem to go free.

But then there's a dramatic shift. "Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them. So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name."

What a powerful image. When people who fear God talk to each other about Him, God leans in to listen. He's so moved by their conversation that He takes out a book and begins writing—recording their names, their words, their hearts.
The Fear of the Lord
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, Scripture tells us. But what does it mean to fear God? It's not about cowering in terror before an angry deity. Rather, it's about reverence, respect, and standing in awe of who He is.

Respect means recognizing God's rightful place as Creator and Lord. It's a lifestyle of submission, not just an attitude. When we truly respect someone, we submit to their authority and obey their guidance. Respect acknowledges worth, authority, and position. Just as we stand when a judge enters a courtroom, we should approach God with honor—not with a casual, flippant attitude.

We live in a culture that has lost the art of respect. We've brought everything down to our level, even attempting to make God our "homeboy" or "the big man upstairs." But He is Yahweh, the great I AM, the Holy One. While He is indeed our friend, He is first and foremost to be feared and respected.

Awe speaks to a deep sense of wonder, amazement, and admiration. When we watch a sunset paint the sky in brilliant colors, when we stand before a mountain range or gaze at the stars, we should be moved to worship the Creator rather than merely admiring the creation. Every sunrise, every bird in flight, every flower blooming declares the glory of God. We should reserve our deepest awe not for celebrities or athletes, but for the One who spoke worlds into existence.

Reverence is a deep recognition of God's character, nature, and holiness. We should reverence the Lord, His house, and His Word. There's something sacred about approaching God with the right heart posture, recognizing that we're entering the presence of the King.
Loving the Lord
The second thing that captures God's attention is love. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind. But how do we demonstrate this love?

We talk about what we love. When God's people gather and speak to one another about the Lord—sharing testimonies of His goodness, discussing His Word, encouraging each other in faith—God listens. He values these conversations so much that He records them in His book of remembrance.

Imagine a place where everywhere you go, people are talking about Jesus. In the hallways, in casual conversations, in every interaction—Jesus is the topic. When we make talking about God's faithfulness, His answers to prayer, and His work in our lives the norm rather than the exception, we create an atmosphere where God's presence is tangible.

We think about what we love. Malachi speaks of those "who meditate on His name." What occupies the real estate of your mind? There's a battle for our thoughts, and we must be intentional about what we allow to take up space there. When we train ourselves to think about the Lord throughout the day, we crowd out thoughts of sin and worry.

The principle is simple: if your mind is filled with thoughts about God, His goodness, His Word, and eternity, there's no room for the enemy's schemes. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.
Serving the Lord
Finally, those who serve the Lord capture His attention. The distinction in Malachi 3:18 is clear: there's a difference between those who serve God and those who do not.

Christians should serve the Lord—not grudgingly, but with gladness. The most joyful, content believers are those actively serving God in some capacity. A bondservant is someone who has been bought, paid for, and set free, but who willingly chooses to serve their master out of love. That's what Christ has done for us, and our response should be willing, joyful service.

If Jesus were to ask you today, "What are you doing to serve Me?" what would you say? Not what you used to do, but what you're currently doing. Serving God means using your gifts, time, and life to advance His kingdom with joy.

Some may say it's useless to serve God, but that's only true for those who serve with the wrong motives. When we serve altruistically—expecting nothing in return except the joy of pleasing our King—we discover that serving God is its own reward.

The Choice Before Us
Joshua declared, "Choose for yourself this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Deuteronomy sums it up perfectly: "What does the Lord your God require of you? To fear the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul."

There will be hard days. Some days you'll feel unappreciated, unseen, overlooked. Some days you may feel abused or overworked. But remember: you're not serving people. You're serving the Lord. And while people may not recognize your efforts, God is keeping a book of remembrance.

No one is getting away with anything. There's a day of judgment coming, and on that day, God will distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who served Him and those who did not.

The question remains: Do you want God's attention on your life? On your family? On your children and grandchildren? Then fear Him, love Him, and serve Him. Live with the judgment seat of Christ in view. Don't settle for the immediate gains of this world when you can invest in eternal rewards.
After all, where else could we go but to the Lord?