PRAYER PRACTICE
Prayer Journal –
To begin your daily worship today, grab a pen and paper and write out a prayer
to God. Not sure what to write? Try using ACTS to frame your prayer. Begin with
adoration for who God is. Then move on to confession – being real about where
you have fallen short in the last day or two. Give thanks to God for all that
He gives (including forgiveness for the sin you just confessed!). And then
finish with supplication – with your prayer requests to God. When you are done,
tuck this away somewhere (so you can read it later and see how God has answered
your prayers) and then move into hearing from God through His Word.
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Looking for the Glory
by Mary McGinnis
When I was in High School, music was my “thing.” Even though I was often quiet and shy in most settings, I was often selected for the solo parts. I would inwardly be shaking like a leaf, but once I got up on stage, I would shine. Upon graduation, I received high honor of receiving the “director’s award” for my participation and leadership in the vocal music department.
When I got to college, I expected more of the same. I auditioned for the select choir and was accepted. Once we began rehearsals, I soon discovered that I was an exceedingly small fish in a much larger ocean. I was now the bottom of the totem pole so to speak and I would never hope to measure up to the other amazingly talented soloists.
Adding insult to injury, I was often the one that got “picked on” by the director. He would often call me out for something I was doing wrong, embarrassing me in front of the entire group. My glory days were seemly over.
When I transferred to another school in my Junior year, the blows to my ego kept coming. This time when I auditioned for the elite choir, I did not make the cut. I was devastated.
How often do we get caught in the comparison game? When we compare ourselves with those around us, we may think, “Well, I am better than that person.” Or conversely, “I could never measure up to this person’s amazing talent.”
Paul says this type of glory seeking through comparison is not wise.
Romans 3:23 says, “We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” In reality, none of us will make the cut. We have all missed the mark.
In today’s passage, Paul encourages us to focus our attention on another type of glory.
“We, however, will not boast (glory) beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting (glory) to the sphere of service God Himself has assigned to us.”
The word “boast” is the same word as “glory” in the original language.
“Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
He is the glorious One! He is the One who outshines the sun. The weight of His presence is overwhelming. Those who encounter His glorious presence were dropped to their knees in humility. Yet, He sent His only Son to die for us, and Jesus was obedient, even unto death, so we could be saved.
He is the One who is meant to be on display, to show the magnificent, greatness, and splendor of His character, the embodiment of perfection, love, mercy and grace. He is the One to be honored with the highest renown.
As God’s children, He gave His life for us, even though we have fallen short of His glory. He has chosen us to radiate and reflect His glorious mercy, grace and love, as weak and frail as we are. He has given us our part to play.
The summer before my Senior year of college, I once again auditioned for the choir. This time I was accepted. I no longer looked at being in this group as an ego boost, or something to brag about. I saw it as a privileged. I was no longer seeking to be center stage, but was content to play my role. And our combined voices touched the hearts of our listeners every night for 3 weeks during our Spring Concert Tour season. I can still sing many of the songs from memory from that season. It is one of my most amazing memories from my college years. God had a plan for me, and still does.
Lord, forgive me. You see, I am prone to looking for praise and accolades of others. My heart longs to be seen, to be impressive, to seek after my own glory. But seeking after my own glory is so empty and fleeting, like trying to catch a ray of light.
Help me instead to seek after reflecting Your eternal Glory. Use me Lord, to shine the light of Your Glory, reflecting in me the face of Jesus Christ.
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