Glory To God: The War Cry

Following yesterday’s entry on self-control being more about God-control and its application in every stage of life, I had another thought.

(“Uh oh”, I hear you sigh. It’s alright, I don’t get these thoughts all the time, sometimes I think about other stuff like when am I going to start on the Chicken & Vegetable pies that I purchased over 10 days ago? They have patiently been waiting for me to consume them in the freezer … as in they are in the freezer, not that they want me to consume them in the freezer, I’m cool as it is, I don’t need any further support.  See, I do other thoughts! On that thought, the Minced Beef & Onion Pies would also enquire as to the schedule for their consumption.  All crucial thoughts, you understand.)

Anyway.

It occurred to me this morning as I put my jeans on (black jeans, now that you ask) that a life consumed with God, where His will matters to you makes everything a Kingdom issue.  You don’t have to make it robotic and obligatory, it’s something that flows naturally.  As I thought about that I was reminded again of Paul’s appeal to the church in Corinth.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:31)

Here Paul addresses the importance believers have in considering others and not being a stumbling block to believers.  This appeal about something like eating would have massive ramifications for how we approach all of life. (Told you the Chicken & Vegetable pies were important thoughts!)

Consider with me, back to the Rob Episode yesterday concerning a work-related issue.  Consider with me how we should then approach even the most basic task if we are controlled by God.  If everything we do is for God’s glory.  As I put those jeans on I thought to myself – I’m wearing these jeans for the glory of God.  Sounds funny.  Sounds silly, but it’s got to be true.  If I’m eating what I eat for the glory of God – and Paul earlier talks about how eating after giving thanks is important – then surely I’m wearing what I wear for His glory.  Surely my appearance is for His glory – and that shouldn’t be a case of then needing to be blinged out everywhere I go.  (Imagine as my dear daughters seek to go to sleep they are somewhat interrupted by how bling their pops looks as he comes to deliver the bedtime story and prayer. Hardly the glory that led the people to ask Moses to put a veil over his face)

Seeing everything we do as being for God’s glory immediately embodies His Lordship in ALL life.  There are no ‘private’ compartments where I can have ‘me’ time. From ironing the blouses for the girls as they go to school to preparing what you’ll have to share in the next church gathering, everything has a sense of divine involvement.

Relaxing for God’s glory – that’s nothing to feel frightened about – it should give relaxing a whole new joy and peace filled lease of life.  Television for God’s glory doesn’t mean you have to subscribe to Christian television channels (thank God) and must never watch Channel 4 ever again. It does bring even the programmes you watch under subjection to how God is honoured in it.

I’m not ashamed to say I love watching football for the glory of God.  It becomes less tribal (Liverpool are the greatest, Liverpool must win, if Liverpool don’t win then you might as well cancel Christmas) and more about seeking delight and pleasure in worthwhile recreational activities (Manchester City beating Liverpool was a good display of how teams should make the most of their possession to turn them into goals).  Friendly rivalry is now more about the friendly than the rivalry.  Now I’m the first to acknowledge how poor my team played or how well the opposition did.  The banter remains, but there’s no sting behind it (although it keeps the zing).

Everything for the glory of God – talk about fullness of life, because if the Creator of the Universe is engaged with you as you’re washing it’s no longer a chore (and don’t I know it!).  It gives new insight on problems faced in life whether at work, at home or in church.  It reminds us who is in charge of the situation and supports us in submitting ourselves to God’s will – His perfect, pleasing and acceptable will – in that scenario.

For the glory of God then becomes something of a battle cry.  Almost like the musketeers had their ‘all for one and one for all’ motto (my sister’s motto was similar ‘one for all and all for me’) – believers have ‘all to the glory of God’.  (I’m sure that would never work in Latin.)  We take ourselves out of the picture, we allow God to fill the picture and we enjoy what He has done and how expresses that through us together.  Imagine relationships for the glory of God.  Imagine that.

Imagine confessing and consoling, cajoling and challenging, conversing and consulting – all for the glory of God.  You don’t have to imagine it – there are pockets of examples of that taking place in life if we but had the eyes to see it, rejoice in it and give God thanks for it.  This has happened at the till in the supermarket where the lady helped you pack your bags.  This has happened when you got that text from your friend.  This has happened when you recalled that song you enjoyed from way back.  It is happening – you are a part of the happening and can consciously become more a part as we chime in with the theme of the Kingdom that says that all is done for the glory of God.

The joyful deal of time is that God will be glorified.  Even in the most devastating of circumstances, it does not prevent the reality that God will be exalted – He will be glorified, His will shall be done, His rule will cover all.  It may not change the present circumstances, but it fills us with profound joy in the tears.  It informs us in what appears mediocre and mundane. It relieves us in what appears frustrating and hopeless.

It is the disciple’s war cry and victory shout – glory to God.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd