Day Seven: The Reason for Everything

What hit home for you in the reading today?

The chapter opens up with this verse:

Everything comes from God alone.
Everything lives by his power,
and everything is for his glory.
Romans 11v36 (LB)

It's a very radical verse to write and believe. Whether you are inclined to believe some form of creationism or some form of evolution, do we believe everything - material stuff and humans - come from God? Do we believe that God sustains the world, that his energy is what breathed life into our existence? And do we believe that everything is to bring glory to God? All three are outrageous beliefs and have their own difficulties and rewards. The last one is what this chapter is about - and it has it's own unique problems.

Some people are suspicious of a God who wants so much glory. They wonder if maybe this God is insecure, that he needs validation, he needs to be praised a lot. Is that what is going on here? Is it wrong for a Creator to desire recognition and appreciation for the created art? What should a Creator feel if what was lovingly and skillfully created gets trashed, maimed, and mocked?

What we believe about God shapes what we do with our life. When we believe that God is the source of our Universe and Humanity - (we have no idea how He did it though...), we begin to better understand where we stand with God. We don't stand as equals with Him. But we do stay thankful for the good gifts he gives us. Even then, is it about what God can do for us, or is it about the One who got everything going? Or is it mutual - a give and take relationship where it's a win-win for both?

It's pretty obvious that in this relationship with God, he's got a better perspective on reality, on what is going on amongst us. We are the ones who have a very difficult time remembering where we stand with God, or remembering that we belong to God, and that the whole Earth is a gift to us. It's a sin to disregard God the way we often do. And the more we disregard God, the more we bring corrosion into our life. If God is the one with the power to make life work for us, and we belittle his contribution, we're cutting ourselves off from some very helpful help.

"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him."
It's worth spending some time reflecting on this thought, this belief. The idea of God's glory can be kind of abstract, despite this chapter's noble attempt to explain it in practical ways. But God's glory is best experienced in relationship, though it is beautifully displayed in nature. I struggle to understand what it means to give God glory. I struggle to understand what it means to be satisfied in him.

Here's my best understanding of it so far:
When we trust God, when we go along with His prompts and directions, when we are used by Him to accomplish something good, when we are an available instrument for His rescue and restoration work, when we are open to what He wants us to become, and when we accept Him on His terms with peace, we are bringing great delight to Him and affirmation. We are telling God through our actions that he is trustworthy, that he is capable, that he is enjoyable, that he is helpful, that he is brilliant, that he is mercy-full, that he is just, that he is always present.

This is called praise. Or glory. Too many of us give too little praise/glory to people in our life. We crave it for ourselves, but rarely give enough of it out. We flatter too often, but rarely do we make the effort to give authentic praise or appreciation. There is much benefit in giving praise or glory, I always feel better when I do it, and so does the one who received it. Doing so doesn't make all the bad stuff in my life go away, but it does help me refocus.

Wherever you are at in our knowledge of God, or in your attitude towards God, or in your confusion or anger with God, I'd encourage you to at least open yourself up to acknowledge the good that has come your way from God. And thank him for at least that stuff. It's a start.

What about you? What convicted you or inspired you in the reading today?