Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ. We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us. We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again . . . All of this has been done for you, so more and more people will know how kind God is and will praise and honor him.
Dear Reader, I read this passage and wept in praise, and humility. Sometimes I fear that I weave all over the Road to Glory, straddling lanes of right and wrong.
Longing to bring God glory is not for the faint of heart. So many hard questions about right and wrong . . . and sometimes so hard to discern the answers.
I’ve learned that laboring over questions too long can breed uncertainty. It can become a powerful distraction and lure me away from God’s service, and His glory.
Maybe Dear Reader, you’ve been cloaked in certainty about God’s will, done your best to see it accomplished, only to have whispered in your ear, “Is this for God’s glory, or yours?” Did your your motive become cloudy and uncertain? Even worse, did uncertainty threaten to hamstring you from serving God and striving to bring Him glory?
Tom and I are thankful and excited to be called to work with the Buddy Bag Project. Honestly, Dear Reader, I absolutely love telling people about the work God is doing for the homeless in our city. Seekers typically get an earful of gush and mush about partners serving others to bring God glory.
Skeptics are liable to get an earful, too, Dear Reader. And sadly, sometimes, they turn a deaf ear to how God can use anyone for His glory. As much as we like to think differently, there are those who are unable to imagine how God can be glorified by service to “those people,” or we can be blessed by serving.
Praise God for His mighty Word!
Be careful—watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart. Stand firm when he attacks. Trust the Lord; and remember that other Christians all around the world are going through these sufferings too.
Dear Reader, if you’re trying to do your best for God’s glory and have found yourself (or your loved ones) questioning your service, or under attack, please listen up. Two things it literally took decades for me to grab hold of:
- Satan absolutely hates it when we try even a little to bring God glory; he’ll do whatever he can to thwart our efforts.
- How individuals or the world respond(s) to our efforts isn’t our problem. God knows our hearts; our job is to be obedient. He will take care of the rest.
Wherever you are on the Road to Glory, Dear Reader , let . . .
Glory be!
