Giving God the Glory
“Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” Psalm 115:1
When we’re good at something, it’s easy to take credit for what we accomplish. While it might be in part your dedication to training, the education you received, or the way your mind works, all these abilities really originate from one source: God!
James 1:17 tells us that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Every gift and talent we have in our lives comes from God’s goodness to us.
For the athletic people in the room, God gave you the body and strength to excel in your sport. For the brainiacs, God enabled your mind to think deeply, explore concepts, and solve problems. Artists, God made you creative, because He himself is the greatest creator!
Whether you’re a student scoring goals on your soccer team, a dancer shining on stage, a budding poet, a teacher, a lawyer, or a stay-at-home parent, God has enabled you to shine in your calling. And because He has been so generous to bless us, our hearts should desire to bless and give Him glory instead of simply seeking our own praise.
Next time you are celebrated for the good work you do, take a minute to thank God for giving you the gifts and talents you have and use the experience as an opportunity to give Him glory. Stopping and pointing back to Jesus might just be the way someone encounters the goodness of God for the first time.
When we take the time to glorify God, we honor his love and faithfulness towards us and give others the opportunity to experience the same!