…everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory...
Isaiah 43:7
We began this month’s study on GLORY with this verse, as we examined the truth that each of us was created for one purpose: to glorify God.
During January, we have written, prayed over, and no doubt memorized verses that include the word glory, as our hearts have been stirred to understand and embrace the purpose for our existence.
As we wrap up our month-long focus on glory, let’s examine one final verse. This one is familiar. You have most likely memorized it and even taught it to your children. It’s one of the “Roman’s Road” verses often used in sharing the gospel:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:23
Our initial commentary on the passage might include comments like:
- “Nobody is perfect.”
- “Everybody messes up.”
- “We all need Jesus.”
Every one of those statements is absolutely true. But in our quest to reassure one another that we are “all in this together,” do we overlook the definition of sin found here?
If asked to define sin, we might respond with answers such as:
- Bad things we do.
- Violations of the 10 commandments.
- Things that disappoint God.
- Missing the mark.
Again, all true. But when we re-read Romans 3:23 — and I suggest taking a moment to do that now, please — we find that sin seems to take on a graver, sobering, more eternal significance. No longer is it just “bad-stuff-I-do-and-we-all-do-it.” Now it becomes a comparison of where I am – who I am – in relation to why I am here.
Juxtaposing Isaiah 43:7 with Romans 3:23 leads me to this conclusion: I was created to glorify God. And when I sin, I miss the whole purpose for my very existence.
A car may be beautiful inside and out – shiny paint, leather seats, state-of-the-art sound system – but if it fails to run, it falls short of its purpose: transportation.
The analogy can be extended to the kitchen, the home, and even to professions: An oven that won’t bake. A fireplace that won’t light. A nurse who runs at the sight of blood. A mechanic who doesn’t know how to change the oil.
The oven may be top of the line, with every available option. The nurse may look the part in scrubs and a stethoscope. But if the oven won’t heat and the nurse is running away, neither one is serving its intended purpose.
And, likewise, human beings — who were created in God’s image to glorify Him and so often fail to do so — are sinners. But rather than reject or replace us (as we might do with a faulty appliance or ineffective employee), God keeps loving us. He never gives up on us.
Perhaps a large part of our failure to fulfill our purpose is because we rarely embrace it, or dwell on it, or even acknowledge it. My preoccupation with SELF distracts me from a focus on HIM – bringing Him glory, elevating Him, making much of Him.
As my thoughts and desires shift outward from myself and upward to Him, it prompts love, gratitude, and sheer amazement: He not only knows me and loves me, but wants to use me. He has a plan for my life and it is for Him. Even knowing all my stuff — the messes, the shame, the selfishness, pride, and junk I have tried to fix, change, and hide from everybody else — He continues to love me, and keep me around, and give me opportunities to be part of what He is doing.
In much the same way as I allow my young granddaughters to “help” me prepare dinner, He could do it more efficiently without me, but He seems to enjoy letting Laura “help.”
It’s amazing … humbling … extraordinary.
I am nothing, but He sees something He can use.
I deserve shame, but He chooses to honor me.
I should be hated, but He loves me.
I should be rejected, but He chooses to embrace me.
It is unbelievable, but by faith I choose to believe it. I want to believe it. I must believe it.
It is ludicrous, unfathomable, and delightful: the God of this universe, the Creator of everything, knows all about me yet still loves me. He is powerful, yet compassionate, merciful, and full of grace. He is worthy of so much more than I can offer, but all I have is me.
So here I am, God. Use me. Thank you for the privilege of another new year of life … the beginning of another year on this planet to glorify you. Even when I fall short, and continue to fall short, you keep me around, show me grace, and continue to love me.
The longer we walk with God and know Him, the more we realize that what separates us is not a stream, but an ocean. We are simultaneously more sinful than we ever wanted to believe, and more loved than we ever dared hope (a Puritan thought that I’m certainly quoting poorly).
Though our “GLORY” month will come to an end this week, let’s link proverbial arms and spur one another on, continuing to embrace our individual and collective purpose into next month and this new year: Let’s glorify God!
In this week’s teaching video, Laura considers Nehemiah Chapter 12, which describes the celebration of the completion of the walls as Nehemiah and Ezra lead the people of Jerusalem in giving glory to God for all He has provided. Their worship prompts us to consider the nature of worship. We invite you to listen as Laura offers (and attempts to answer) ten questions about worship.
Visit our Downloads page this week for your copy of the upcoming February Write the WORD bookmark and S.O.A.P. study pages, ‘Do It’! List, and other free resources to help you balance your heart for God with the demands of a busy life and home.
