Glory isn't always pretty...

 I have been asked two or three times over the past year or so to speak to groups about praying for God’s glory and what that looks like.  I have been blown away by the message God has given me about this subject and how He has used the message to touch the lives of those in the audience.  Last Sunday as I was in church and God asked me if I was praying for His glory in my current situation or was I just praying for His assistance, comfort and peace.  OUCH!   In my seminar I speak about the fact that giving God glory is not always pretty … think of the cross.  It is not always comfortable. ..think of Paul.  And it is certainly not always easy….think of Daniel, Joseph, Mary, Moses…… As I sat there on Sunday I realized that I wanted my comfort more than I wanted to give God glory by living in the circumstances He had allowed in a way that honored Him.  At that moment I decided that He had allowed these two grandchildren to come under our care and protection and whether that is for two weeks or 20 years, I would accept this role and do all I could to live it out in a way that glorifies the mighty name of Jesus. 

 

Life is a challenge right now.  I admit it.  Life is uncomfortable right now.  I can’t even remember what the comfort zone feels like!  All these things work together to give me an opportunity to cling to God moment by moment.  I recognize that I am pretty good at asking God for direction on the big things and then hearing His answer.  What I have not cultivated well is a minute by minute dependence upon Him.  I have been forced to do that these past weeks.  No more leisurely two hour quiet times.   I must learn to go to Him throughout the day whenever I can grab a minute.  I must learn to climb onto the rock as the boat is sinking…not ahead of time before I have even set sail! 

 

So, God I ask you to be glorified in this assignment you have given me.  Be glorified in how I handle each moment.  Be glorified in how I trust You. Be glorified in how I walk before these kids.  Be glorified in how I share what You are doing.  Be glorified in how I get through the moments where all I know to do is put my eyes upon You.  Be glorified in my willingness to wait upon You.  Be glorified in my marriage.  Be glorified in my willingness to do whatever You ask.  May your glory become more important than anything in my life!

 

Please keep this a focus as you pray for me.  It is so easy to move into victim mode and throw huge pity parties!  It is easy to believe the enemy’s lies about fairness and my abilities (or lack of).  It is easy to become resentful and bitter.  Pray that my eyes would focus on His glory.  I know that with that focus hope and joy and strength will fill my heart! 

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  • I am grateful, Lori, that you wrote seriously about the Glory of Jesus Christ. This comfort loving flesh does not inherit the kingdom of God nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. We need prophetic voices that rally us to the reality of the battle between good and evil. The way of the Cross, God's unimaginable Love, is not shown by spoiling us but by leading us, undergirding us, sustaining us through the troubles of earth because of His Glorious Holy Spirit Presence in the midst of our storms. Courage to love in the midst of hate comes only from total submission to the perfect will of God. That is what builds the future in hope. It is not the economy, stupid, it is the desperate need for righteousness and turning back to God.
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