What Does God Really Want from Me?

Dear friends,

As my husband has been preaching through the Minor Prophets at our church, I’ve been diving into these books during my personal devotion time. Let me tell you, it’s like finding a treasure map in an old, dusty attic! When I got to Micah, something leapt off the page that I hadn’t quite seen before, and I just have to share it with you.

In Micah 6:6, the prophet gives voice to a question that’s probably crossed all our minds at some point: “What should I bring before the Lord when I come to bow before God on high?” I mean, doesn’t that hit home? Here we are, overwhelmed by God’s grace—His free gift of salvation through Jesus’ sacrifice—and we’re left wondering, “Lord, what can I possibly give You that measures up?”

It’s like trying to pick a gift for someone who has everything. A fruit basket for the Creator of the universe? A gift card to Heaven’s coffee shop? (Okay, I know, Heaven probably has better coffee than we do!) But seriously, we want to offer something big, something that shows we get the magnitude of what He’s done for us.

Micah’s people had the same urge. They wondered if God wanted burnt offerings, year-old calves, thousands of rams, or even “ten thousand streams of oil” (Micah 6:6-7). They even asked if they should offer their firstborn—yikes, talk about going all-in! But here’s the thing: God isn’t after a one-time, show-stopping gesture. He’s not waiting for us to sell the family minivan and donate the proceeds to prove our devotion. Nope, He’s playing the long game.

So what does God want? Micah 6:8 spells it out beautifully:

“Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.”

Paul puts it another way in Romans 12:1, urging us to offer our bodies—our everyday, coffee-spilling, laundry-folding, carpool-driving lives—as a living sacrifice. That’s our true worship. Not a one-and-done deal, but a daily “Here I am, Lord, use me.”

Now, I’ll be honest: sometimes I think it’d be easier to write a big check to the church once a year and call it a day. Wouldn’t that be simpler? But the longer I walk with Jesus, the more I see that what God wants from us is really what He wants for us. He’s not after our stuff—He’s after our hearts. And here’s the best part: Jesus Himself says that living this way leads to complete joy (John 15:10-11). Who doesn’t want a slice of that?

So, what does this look like for us as Christian women living in 2025, juggling family, work, church, and the occasional Costco run? Let’s break down Micah 6:8 into practical, everyday steps—because God loves to meet us in the ordinary.

Act Justly

Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary (yes, I’m that nerd who loves old dictionaries!) defines justice beautifully- in short, as giving everyone their due with honesty and integrity. For us, this might look like:

• In marriage: Treating your husband with fairness—keeping your word, respecting him (Ephesians 5:33), and resisting the urge to “gently nudge” him into doing things your way. (Guilty, anyone?)
• In parenting: Being consistent with your kids—fair rules, steady consequences, and honest praise when they finally clean their rooms without being asked. (Miracles do happen!)
• In the workplace: Keeping your commitments, being fair in business dealings, and paying others what they’re owed—whether it’s money or respect.
• In community: Standing up for those who can’t stand for themselves—the widow, the orphan, the struggling mom at the grocery store (Proverbs 31:8-9).

Justice isn’t just for courtrooms; it’s for our kitchens, our cubicles, and our neighborhoods.

Love Faithfulness

Faithfulness is all about loyalty, honesty, and sticking to your promises. For us, this could mean:

• In marriage: Staying true—emotionally, physically, and even on social media. Feeding your mind with encouragement toward faithfulness is key!
• In parenting: Putting your kids’ best interests before your own, even if it means more time/challenge.
• With friends and church: Being the friend who forgives fast, includes the newcomer, and shows up with a casserole when someone’s hurting. Colossians 3:12-13 calls us to put on kindness and patience, forgiving as Christ forgave us.

Faithfulness is showing up, day after day, even when it’s not glamorous. It’s being the steady one in a world that’s anything but.

Walk Humbly with Your God

Humility is freedom from pride, a deep sense of our need for God, and a willingness to say, “I’m not perfect, but I’m Yours.” Practically, this looks like:

• In marriage: Owning your mistakes, being quick to repent, and submitting to your husband’s leadership out of trust in God’s design (not because it’s always easy!).
• In parenting: Praying without ceasing for your kids, trusting God to work in their hearts in ways you can’t.
• As a homemaker: Weaving prayer into the daily grind—whether you’re folding laundry, running errands, or scrubbing dishes. (Pro tip: Praying while cleaning makes it feel 10% less like torture.)

1 Peter 5:6 reminds us, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less and God more.

The Joy of the Long Game

Here’s the beautiful truth: God doesn’t want our grand gestures because He’s after something better—us. Our ordinary lives, surrendered to Him, become extraordinary acts of worship. And the best part? Living out Micah 6:8 doesn’t just please God; it fills us with the joy Jesus promised.

So, let’s keep it simple. Let’s act justly in our daily dealings, love faithfulness in our relationships, and walk humbly with our God, one step at a time. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. And who knows? Maybe we’ll even find joy in the middle of that next pile of laundry.

With love and a smile,

Julie, A Pastor’s Wife Learning to Live Micah 6:8

P.S. What’s one way you’re living out Micah 6:8 this week? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear your story!

Dig deeper into Micah here: Ancient Idols in Modern Trappings