I heard Pastor Robert Morris teach on the glory of God and say, in essence, “You bring God glory by being good at what He’s gifted you to do.”
In Exodus 33 when Moses asked God, “Show me your glory,” God responded with ”I will show you my goodness.” That’s the idea—God is really great at goodness!
I love the line in the movie Chariots of Fire when Liddell says, “When I run, I feel His pleasure.” He ran because God had gifted him to do it, but Liddell had connected the fact that His father had great pride in watching him run and using the gift.
Why do you attend your kids’ or grandkids’ sports games, ballet recitals, talent shows, debates, and so on? Let’s face it—it’s not always because they are amazing at what they do. It’s because you “glory” in them as your child. It’s your kid!
What does God really enjoy watching you do?
What did He put in you that when you do that you feel you are bringing Him glory?
Where can you, as Liddell said, “feel His pleasure”?
I have a good friend who worked very hard at a very important ministry for several years. But it didn’t connect. He switched to a different ministry, applied all those same gifts and skills and it just blew up! Ministry happening all over the world. God’s glory shines there on a daily basis. The gift finally found the right “lane to run in”!
Sometimes that’s all about God’s timing and sometimes it’s about our obedience. To continue Liddell’s analogy—deciding you will run at your best and then allowing Him to show you the lane where He wants you to run.
God has surely gifted you, you’re great at something because He put it in you, and your Father wants to watch you use it and enjoy it. That doesn’t mean it won’t be work, but when it’s right you feel His pleasure and see His glory.
All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. —John 17:10 NLT