Glorious Resolutions

I used to think making New Year’s resolutions was useless.  I thought, what’s the point? Maybe you make it through the month of January, maybe you don’t.  But now I think that’s a defeatist attitude.  

And that the only goals that are sure to fail are the ones we don’t make. 

So go on!  Set a goal.  Be intentional.  Change your life. 

Just be sure that what you do is in the will and strength of God.  Because when we do something out of God’s will and in our own strength, we may go along fine for a while, but sooner or later something’s going to trip us up and we’re going to find ourselves eating a little floor. 

So whatever you do, whether it’s setting new fitness goals, communicating better with your spouse or children, being a better employee or {insert your own goals}, there is one God-given goal we have in all of them. One ultimate reason we’re here. 

To give God glory. 

In all we say, in all we do, we were made to glorify the King of kings. 

To praise and worship Him in all we do.  To proclaim His great love and the great things He’s done for us. To let the joy He gives us spill out onto everyone around us.

Can you grasp how great a mission that is?  That we’re given the gift of relationship with the Almighty God and are filled with His Holy Spirit to walk in Him and glorify Him to others is an amazing gift.  And we should use that gift wisely.

There are two kinds of people who need to see the glory of God through us:

1. Unbelievers

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16

In case you’ve been under a rock, the world is going to hell in a handbasket. And if we have even an inkling of the love of Christ, we’ll care that they are. It’s crazy out there and getting crazier by the minute. People are lost, hurt, and suffering.  And they need to know that there is a God Who loves them and whose glory is unmatched. 

They need to know that all the world’s gold doesn’t shine as glorious as He does. That no amount of fame knows the glory we know in Jesus Christ. They need to know that there is a glory that will give them peace–peace with God and peace with themselves. They need to know the glory that is so great it’ll carry them into eternity, if they receive it by accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. 

They need to see the glorious love of Jesus in words and actions and we’re the ones elected to bring it to them.  Unfortunately, all too often they see Christians as hypocritical and judgmental.  They can get that from the world.  We need to show them the glory of Christ instead. 

2. Believers

“Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.” Romans 15-5-7

It’s a tough world out there for Christ-followers, and it’s easy to get discouraged.  The sad thing is that at times I’ve been most discouraged by my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  Why?  Because their eyes have been opened. They have the Holy Spirit and they know the truth. They should know better. 

And so should I.

But sometimes we get lazy. We spend too much time in the world and let it mold us. We forget to put on Christ’s attitude and allow His glory to flow through us.  We’re human and we’ll fail.  And then we have the God-given ability (and commandment) to forgive and ask for forgiveness. 

Instead, let’s determine to love each other.  To protect each other.  To shine the glory of Christ through our love and kindness and help others on their way. After all, we’re soldiers in a spiritual war and we’re in the trenches together.  We can’t afford to turn on each other by being unkind, critical, snarky, or rude.  The enemy loves it when we do.    

So how do we do it?  How do we glorify the Lord to everyone around us?

We get up in the morning and we sit with Him.  It doesn’t have to be a big production.  Just grab your Bible and find a quiet corner.  Pray.  Read His Word.  Even a verse or two.  Just let God prepare you for what He knows you’ll encounter that day, before you have a chance to act or react in your human, sinful flesh.

His Presence = His Glory

There is nothing like starting a fresh new day with the Lord and letting Him fill us up with His glory and power and strength.  No matter what happens, our perspective will be His, our attitude and our words will be His. And all day long we’ll exude Jesus and bring Him glory. 

Only God knows what He can do through a man or woman who is determined to glorify the One Who holds the future and all its dreams and visions. 

So pray big prayers!  Set big goals.  We have a big God.

And He’s given us the treasure of His glory.

God bless you in the new year!