GPS Journal - January 18, 2012

I didn't understand.  I always thought it was giving praise or adoration.  But it's much, much more.

GUIDANCE

Jesus demonstrated it by example and with words, but still I missed it.  Remember when He prayed:  "Father, glorify your name!" (John 12:28), or "Father, the time has come.  Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you" (John 17:1), or "And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began" (John 17:5).  But giving God glory here means much more than praising or adoring.  What was I missing?

PERSPECTIVE

Recently re-reading Andrew Murray's book, The Spirit of Christ, the reality jumped off the page to smack me in the soul.  "To glorify is to manifest the hidden excellence and worth of an object" (Murray, p. 75).

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY 

Now the prayer of Jesus for himself and for us in John 17 makes so much more sense to me.  His purpose is simply to point out the obvious excellence and worth of God!  Making the hidden known through His word, work, life, example, and sacrifice.

I've always known somehow that the purpose of my life should be to glorify God.  But never really understood how.  Murray really helped me.  Of course I should praise and adore Him.  But this is more than what I say.

Glorifying God is living so that His excellence and worth is experienced by others with and through me.  In His presence and power, I want my life simply to point people His direction.  And doing nothing to take attention away from Him.

"Father the time has come.  Glorify your Son, that your son may glorify you.  For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.  Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.  I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.  And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began" (John 17:5).

-Tony