There’s a hymn that’s not sung much outside of the Salvation Army, called Behold the Lamb, which focuses around the story of Christ on the cross. The last and final verse reads like this:
Where’er I go I’ll tell the story
Of the cross,
In nothing else my soul shall glory
Save the cross.
Yes, this my constant theme shall be
Through time and in eternity,
That Jesus tasted death for me
On the cross.
(Words by Richard Jukes; 1804-67)
Today, the Lord reminded me, as he will continue to do, that everything is all about giving glory to him. That is to say that our primary ambition should be to point to who God is, and what he’s done on the cross. Some people get this confused and twisted and think that means that we all need to be in what some call “full time ministry” (being a pastor or youth pastor). While God is indeed looking for preachers and pastors, men and women alike, he is also looking for people who are teachers, lawyers, technicians, computer analysts, and musicians that are dedicated to bringing him glory in their context.
So you’re in high school. Is your life an example for others? Does it point to God effectively?
So you’re looking for a job. Are you ready to show others who God is, no matter where you end up?
So you work for the church. Are you ready to give God glory outside your office?
Read the following Psalm. Read it slowly, and ask the Lord to remind you that it’s all about him, and not us. No matter what. No matter where.
Psalm 115
1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.
2 Why do the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in heaven;
he does whatever pleases him.
4 But their idols are silver and gold,
made by the hands of men.
5 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but they cannot see;
6 they have ears, but cannot hear,
noses, but they cannot smell;
7 they have hands, but cannot feel,
feet, but they cannot walk;
nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
8 Those who make them will be like them,
and so will all who trust in them.
9 O house of Israel, trust in the LORD—
he is their help and shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD—
he is their help and shield.
11 You who fear him, trust in the LORD—
he is their help and shield.
12 The LORD remembers us and will bless us:
He will bless the house of Israel,
he will bless the house of Aaron,
13 he will bless those who fear the LORD—
small and great alike.
14 May the LORD make you increase,
both you and your children.
15 May you be blessed by the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
16 The highest heavens belong to the LORD,
but the earth he has given to man.
17 It is not the dead who praise the LORD,
those who go down to silence;
18 it is we who extol the LORD,
both now and forevermore.
Praise the LORD. [a]