God's Purpose is God's Glory

Last night while I was asleep, the Lord reminded me of a word he had recently given to me.

"God's Purpose is God's Glory."

While I was sleeping, God allowed me to see what that looked like for my life. When I woke up this morning, I forgot most of the vision but remembered the phrase so clearly. It really made me unpack what that does look like in my life and to focus on what it means for me personally. 

We want our lives to be easy. We want everything to work out the way we want it to work out and we expect nothing short of perfection. Reality Check. That's not God's plan! and if you look at the scriptures, when was that ever God's plan?

God has placed me in a position as the Assistant Director of a Private Preschool and Kindergarten. Its been a lot of fun and so far it has been a really fulfilling career choice for me. But, ultimately its been challenging because my leadership skills are always being tested. If you've known me well for quite sometime, its not a position I would have placed myself in 3 years ago. I was a completely different person then! God had already started growing me in leadership even then...But, I just wasn't ready for it, and honestly I'm still not.

Its hard being in charge of people. It requires self sacrifice. It requires that you take full responsibility of whatever happens, not matter what! It sometimes requires you being the first person there and the last one to leave to ensure that things are done. It requires you to live by example and be above reproach in all areas of your life. 

Peter appeals to leaders in 1 Peter 5:2-3

"Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly--not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example."

I think this sums up the challenges that leaders face. We must lead people because we are eager to serve God and not for our own selfish desires or self promotion. We must care for our flocks! We must do everything we can to make sure they are guided to the right pastures which sometimes requires discipline. But, not the sort of discipline that is done by "Lording it over them" and with a pompous attitude, but a discipline that comes from Love and genuine Care, like a Good Shepherd! People see this best when its reflected in your character.

So what does all this have to do with "God's Purpose is God's Glory."...

God has placed me in a position that I love but is challenging, because his strength is made perfect in my weaknesses! God is glorified when I go to work every day, because every day he gives me the daily bread I need to lead my employees! Whenever I accomplish something I always know its through him because leadership isn't something that I was ever good at on my own!


Your situation is most likely a lot different from mine. Maybe for you, this means loving little kids that are in your class. Teaching them every day and pouring into their lives, even when they choose to disobey, when they drive you bonkers, and when they make you wanna scream. But, you keep pouring into them, you keep loving them...because thats the only way they'll ever see Christ. God's Purpose is God's Glory.

Maybe for you this means stepping out and doing something that you are scared to do or that you don't necessarily want to do, but God called you to do it. If it wasn't for Christ doing what he did not want to do (dying on the cross) because God called him to do it...none of us would be here. God's Purpose is God's Glory.

Maybe for you, this means being single. When everyone else around you is getting married and starting families and you feel like you've completely missed the boat! But, instead of waiting you need to start living. You can serve God in so many amazing ways as a single person! Whatever situation you are facing today, I challenge you to get some perspective. Ask yourself, what can I do to Glorify God in this season of my life?

Bethel Live has a new song entitled "For the Sake of the World" and the lyrics simply say this "For the sake of the world, burn like a fire in me, light a flame in my soul for every eye to see. For the Sake of the world burn like a fire in me." and then it goes on to say "I'm living for your Glory on the earth." I can't think of a better description of God's Purpose is God's Glory than that song! 

"For everything comes from God and exists by his power and is intended for his Glory. All Glory to him forever. Amen." Romans 11:36