My last blog “Abundance” might have left you sitting wondering what the Father is working in my life. Where is He taking me? What is He leading me too? What am I trying to realize? Yeah, I sat in the same place for about three days but see the thing is, He doesn’t leave us in the grave. He doesn’t leave us in our mess. He’ll definitely sit with us in it, but then He will lead us out. Things aren’t all rainbows and butterflies now or anything but He showed me something in this obedience. Glory.
1 Peter 4:12-14, “Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. If you’re abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It’s the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others.” Peter is saying it’s His glory in us. We can do nothing good apart from God. Any good, any positive thought, any kind deed, no matter if you have a relationship with Jesus or not is, the Father in us. “Everything comes from Him, everything happens through Him; everything ends up in Him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes. Yes.” (Romans 11:35-36) That is what people see. That is what stands out and makes us different. Peter continues in verse 19, “So if you find your life difficult because you’re doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust Him. He knows what He’s doing, and He’ll keep on doing it.”
What even is glory? Glory means “magnificence or great beauty”. Psalm 65:1 and 2, “Silence is praise to you, Zion dwelling God, and also obedience. You hear our prayer in it all.” We can’t help but give Him praise and glory. Every knee shall bow every tongue confess that He is Lord. It will happen. When Jesus was hanging on the cross out of obedience after He had just sweat blood a day before asking to get out of it. But He humbled Himself in obedience because He knew it was for His Father’s glory therefore His own glory. God is deserving of glory no matter what we will. And Jesus knew that because He trusts the Father. He loves Him and us no matter how many times we run. He chases us down and welcomes us back with open arms.
After Jesus died on that cross and rose again three days later, we received a new command. John 13:31-32, ”Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is seen for who He is, and God seen for who He is in Him. The moment God is seen in Him, God’s glory will be on display. In glorifying Him, he himself is glorified-glory all around!” So what I’m trying to communicate is that it’s Him in us. It’s never us and it’s never our circumstances that bring glory. Everything can and will bring praise and glory. Hard things, good things, failure. He will use and is using. Beauty for ashes. He’s turning our shortcomings and our failures into treasures to give away to others. To learn from, to grow, and to be refined through Him.
I’m realizing in my own life how much of His glory is constantly on display. When I’m at my worst, my best, or anywhere in between there is glory, praise, thanksgiving to be given to my Father. I’m definitely just starting to understand glory and really a lot of things but I know Papa wanted you to hear. He wants you to know He is worthy. He is worthy of your praise, thanksgiving, and no matter what He will be glorified and He is walking with you through the suck and the good times. He loves us beyond our understanding and we can’t let Him down. We’re not big enough to ruin His plans.
The selfless, mundane work God is calling you to at work or at home right now. The cooking, the cleaning, the faithful praying for that lost family member, co-worker, that person in your life that bugs you so much that you know the Father is asking you to love. The situation you’re in right now and you don’t know what to do about it or where to even start. The suck of the cross, the pain, the tears, the dying to self, the sacrifice that Jesus bore. This, this is what the Father made possible for us, “The goal for all of them to become one heart and mind. Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you. So they might believe that you, in fact, sent me. The same glory you gave me, I gave them. So they’ll be as unified and together as we are. I in them and you in me. Then they’ll be mature in this oneness, and give the godless world evidence that you’ve sent me and loved them in the same way you’ve loved me.” (John 17:21-23) Now if that don’t give you chill bumps I don’t know what will! I’m in Cambodia and I even have chill bumps so you know it’s Jesus!
Straight from the journal (#Vulnerable),
It’s not about striving, it’s about realizing.
Realizing who He is and who I am because of it!
You realize through gentle guiding from the Holy Spirit.
Selfless love put on display by the King of Kings.
Grace shown over and over and never the consequences we truly deserve.
Through faith and trust in the One who holds the universe together. The One who breathes every breath in our lungs.
How underserving we are of this constant pursuit but it’s still so freely given.
His love never ends!
It’s perfect.
There’s no gain behind this love.
His glory therefor our glory.
Thank you for all your prayers and support. Thank you for taking time to read what a 20 year old from North Carolina, who happens to currently live in Cambodia, heard from the Lord. Thriving over here in Kampot, Cambodia. Much love!
