One Purpose: Glorify His Name

The message at church Sunday morning overwhelmed me. I love sermons that are layered. That are intricate. That may impact new believers, but that also penetrate the souls that have known Jesus for a long time. Scott talked about tempation and the times that Jesus has been tempted by the Devil. He talked about how we often take shortcuts, and how we often use the saying "Just this once." It's so true. How many times do you find yourself longing for instant gratification. But the truth is, we were placed on this earth by our maker for one reason alone: To serve our Lord and to bring Him glory. A shortcut means that we aren't living for Him but are living to fill the voids in our own lives. Here's the thing: God never said life would be easy. He never said we wouldn't be tempted. He never said that we wouldn't suffer. Look at His life! He lived and died so that we may be saved. You think that's easy? You think it's easy to hang on a cross? To get spat on? To be mocked and made fun of? To be perfect in every aspect of life and resist temptation? To have a crown of thrones mashed into your skull? To be brutally whipped? To be betrayed by your own friends? To carry a cross whilst covered in blood and just about naked? To know this was all coming and feel the despair and anguish and know that your only choice is to obey your Father?

I'm not on this earth to be happy and chase butterflies. God will bring me joy but it's entirely possible that I'm going to suffer through the process. He didn't create me to suffer, but he didn't create me to live a selfish and self satisfying life. He created me to serve Him, to further His kingdom, to glorify Him in ALL that I do. I don't do any of that often and that's the only reason on I'm this earth. Yikes. So when I think about the little issues in life that plague me, (health, money, work, relationships) I have to stop and remember, I am living and breathing for Him alone. And it may not be easy. Fact: it won't be easy. I'm going to suffer. I want to live that life. I want to strive to be all that He created. I want to bring Him glory. Because in bringing Him glory and furthering His kingdom, He will show me true joy.