To glorify God is to acknowledge who he is, and give him honour.  To honour someone is to acknowledge who they are, how important they are to you, to draw attention to them.  As I live my daily life as a woman, wife, mum, homemaker, friend, blogger etc I want to reflect God, I want to honour him in all that I do: I want to glorify him.

 

10 ways that I can glorify God as I live my life:

 

1–Consider my work with faith

I can do my work (whatever that work is) in my own strength or in faith that God will provide.  God will provide strength, wisdom, grace, compassion.  Rom 14:23 tells us: For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.  I am not saved by my works – being a SAHM is no biggie – being a working mum is no biggie in the kingdom of God.  Being a homeschool mum, being the most diligent soccer mum is not the issue.  The question is, do I live by faith?  Faith for my salvation, faith for my daily bread?

2–Have integrity

Though my actions are to be pleasing to God and not to be seeking the approval of man – the truth is others see my actions.  Others will judge me, or at least assess me by my actions.  I want to be seen as a person of integrity; a person who is true and consistent in all my dealings.  The way that I spend my time, energy and money, the way I relate to people – these things will establish a reputation with others – and that reputation reflects back onto my God.  2 Cor 8:21 For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.

3–Pray without ceasing

When we pray we are acknowledging that God is there, with us, we are acknowledging that He is in control and that he is our hope, our wisdom – regardless of what goes down.  Romans 12:12 Rejoice in our confident hope.  Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.  Ephesians 6:18 Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. Prayer is a conversation, and conversation leads to a relationship.  I need God, day in and day out, in the big things of my life and in the little – I need to pray, that is talk, without ceasing!

4–Be a blessing to others

When we do good towards others, we are passing on the blessing God has given us.  When we love others, because Christ first loved us, when we are gracious to others because God is gracious to us, when we forgive others because God forgives us – daily – we are glorifying God. I cannot  be a blessing, I cannot be kindness without God in my life.  1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.  We are blessed to be a blessing.

5–Grow in my skills

Prov 22:29  Do you see a man skillful in his work?  He will stand before kings… God gave Adam and Eve work to do – work was not a part of the curse – it was to be a part of living, and yet it was affected by sin.  But as a person living with Jesus, I can enjoy work once more.  Work can have purpose (and yes, it will still be hard) but how I work, and why I work reflects God in my life. I have been created for good works, I have been created with the capacities to learn and grow.  There are two aspects to growing in the skills God has given me – one is trusting God and the other is being a good steward of what he has given me.

6–Fear not

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34  But this does not mean we don’t be wise with our today, so that we are prepared for our tomorrow. Proverbs 31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.  I glorify God when I trust him for my tomorrow – for the concerns about my children’s future, my empty nest years, my physical strength and well being.  I glorify God when I do what he has given me to do today.

7–Speak God’s word

2 Tim 4:2 says Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. In our culture we have interpreted ‘preach’ as one who stands up the front of a gathering and delivers a prepared sermon – this is a limited understanding of the word.  To preach is to proclaim – so we are to proclaim God’s truth.  The Bible doesn’t define where we are to proclaim God’s truth – we just are.  So I can do that during my day, whatever my day entails.  I can tell my children God’s truths, I can talk about it over dinner with the family, and over a cuppa with my friend.  My desire is to have God’s word deep in my heart that to speak of Him, His works, His Word is a normal part of conversation.

8—Encourage others

Eph 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.   In a world where people are focused on themselves to be able to pause and encourage someone else, for no personal gain, is to reflect God in my life, and it gives glory to Him.  The word ‘encourage’ means to put in courage – to give courage to another.  So though positive, kind, nice words do encourage people – I want to speak words that give courage to those I am speaking to, courage to step out and do what God has for them.

9–Be content

In a world that pushes material possessions, lifestyle and personal growth as a mark of success it is a challenge to have a different set of values.  God calls us to put him first in our life, which often means missing out on so called opportunities, it means putting our time into other pursuits.  But if we do the things that glorify God with a discontent, grass-is-greener-on-the-otherside kind of heart – we are not really glorifying God.  Paul says he has learnt (so it is a learnt response) to be content whatever the circumstances (Phil 4:11).  When we value God above all else, other things become less important.

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10–Have self control

Self control is a fruit of the spirit – that is, it is something that is developed in our life as we let the Holy Spirit direct our path.  Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be our teacher, comforter, reminder, guide.  We have a choice though to listen to the Holy Spirit or to ignore His promptings.  The more I listen, and follow his still small voice, the more I walk away from the things that pleases myself and towards the things that pleases God.  The Holy Spirit will help me respond to life with wisdom, grace, kindness, mercy.  The Holy Spirit will help me consider the needs of others.  The Holy Spirit will help me glorify God in all that I do.

 

My desire is that every day, Christ will be seen for who he is, and who he is to me.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Cor 12:9