Today is a rare day. I only have a couple of regular tasks on my calendar with nothing extra to tend to. I relish that type of day, one that when my work day is over, I get to go home and enjoy some leisure time (which will most likely include a good book with my dog at my feet). But in just a few weeks, my life will become very busy. Ready or not, the holidays are upon us. There will be lists on top of lists that will need to be checked off.
Your busy life will probably look different than mine in terms of tasks, but when it all boils down to it, we all seem to fill our schedules to the top, don’t we? Even when we get vacation time, we tend to feel the need for a vacation from our vacation when we get home. Some days it feels like we are gerbils on a wheel just going round and round and wondering where it all leads. What is the purpose of it all?
According to Isaiah 43:7, our created purpose is to glorify God. It says, “…everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.” (emphasis mine). I Corinthians 10:31 says, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”. This really should cause a shift in our list-making and result in asking ourselves, “Does everything I do glorify God?”
Glory. What is it anyway? John Piper refers to God’s glory as “an attempt to put into words what God is like in His magnificence and purity. It refers to His fullness of all that is good.”
What would it look like if we were very intentional about giving God glory in all that we do? A couple of years ago I attended a workshop led by Julie Garriss and something she said really stuck with me. I’m not sure if it’s original with her or not, but she said, “The consideration of His glory is necessary for the fullness of life.” I want that…fullness of life!
Have you ever gone through a time where you intentionally slowed down and reflected on just how magnificent God really is? Julie suggested starting with Psalm 139 so let’s dig into those verses for a bit. Here are some of my thoughts and prayers from what I discovered in the text.
He sees me, even when it feels like no one else does. He knows me. He knows my needs, my fears, my desires, my sins, my thoughts and motives…and yet He cares enough to place His hand on me, to direct me, to comfort and love me.
What can I do with this information?
- I can take comfort in the fact that not only does He know all of the struggles and problems that I’m facing, He knows the solution as well and will work all according to His good purpose. Romans 8:28
- I can acknowledge that there are thoughts I have and words I say that are not in alignment with His glory. Lord, Put a guard over my mouth and bring my thoughts in line with your Holy Spirit. Psalm 41:3
- I can rest, and stop trying to claw my way into getting what I think is best for me. His way is so much better than mine. He knows what I need even better than I do. “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
- I can intentionally look for His glory. The Psalmist, David was awed by the intricate process of human creation as he spoke of God knitting us together in our mother’s womb. Who can even compare to Him? There are so many facets to His wonder and greatness! God, when I consider this, my soul falls more and more in love with you!
Isaiah 40 is an amazing list of just how big He is. Consider these few verses taken from that chapter.
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, And measured the heavens with a span, And calculated the dust of the earth with a measure, And weighed the mountains in a balance And the hills in a pair of scales? Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, Or as His counselor has informed Him? With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding? And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge…”
Isaiah 40: 12-14
Most High God, Yahweh, You know me down to the intricate parts of my DNA. You know what makes me tick, even better than I know myself. There’s nothing that’s a surprise to you. You know my emotions and habits and what emotions drive my habits. There’s nothing about me that you don’t understand. Wow! What’s even more mind-blowing is that you are this way with every single being you’ve ever created. You love and care not just for me, but for the masses of humanity past, present and future.
Your very presence is always around me, never crushing, just gently guiding. Even when I choose to go my own way, your love brings me back into the safety of your boundaries. I can’t go anywhere that you aren’t there.
God, I can’t escape the extreme love you have for your creation. How can I begin to wrap my brain around this aspect of your greatness? It’s dizzying to think about you creating and sustaining all, from the deepest of space to the smallest of microscopic particles. The scope of your glory is beyond my comprehension.
God, we acknowledge that you are the Most High God and that we are not worthy to be in your presence save for the grace given in your sacrifice for us. We humbly thank you for keeping us in your care and for allowing us to come into your presence. Thank you for the glimpses of your glory all around us. May we reflect that to the world. Amen.
Church, if we want transformed lives, lives that reflect His glory, then we need to spend time with Him. We need to intentionally put that time into our day, no matter how busy we are. II Corinthians 3:8” But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”
Let’s spend some time doing that; looking into His word and looking around at all the examples of the glory of God. Then, share with a friend something about God that inspires awe in you. Let’s be a people that reflect His glory, even in our busy schedules.
Yvonne
Wickenkamp
Yvonne is a part of our Christ’s Church family and is married to Jim, one of our Pastoral Care Ministers. They have 5 children: Joel, Kayla, Noelle, Angie, Ryan, and 5 grandchildren.
