I keep hearing, "It's not about us, it is about Him." And I don't disagree that we are to bring glory and honor to Him as we live out our lives. But God has been showing me that He is all about relationship - us and Him together. He doesn't 'need' us, but He invites us into relationship with Him. "But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." II Thessalonians 2:13-14
So I wonder… what does this look like in day to day life as we know it? What does it mean to “share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ?”
“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:17
While I miss Andrew so much, I can already see many of the good things God has brought out of my suffering. I know that God can even use a tragedy such as this to bring His good into this world. There are many who have awakened to God and I believe will be in heaven because of this stimulus. And who knows the ‘ripple effect’ of those souls. I know that many have gotten off the fence and are actively seeking Christ and actively sharing Christ’s death and resurrection with others. I know I have been changed and feel a much stronger sense of urgency regarding the Kingdom of God vs. the kingdom of this world. Things have become just things. The future is all about heaven, not so much about retirement and grandchildren. Those things may come if God so ordains it, but my truer focus is heaven and being with Christ and seeing friends and family including Andrew again.
In the song, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” there is a phrase, “and the things of this world become strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” I think I finally understand that phrase. I understand better, “being in this world but not of it.” I always thought that meant it was okay to be different because of my beliefs. But I think it is more than that. It is being one with Christ and heavenward bound, but taking care of those around us in this world while we are here. Our acted out priorities reflect our souls. Having Andrew in heaven has brought home the reality of heaven and my eternal future there and the thin veil that separates us. While I live in this world and love those God has given me in this world, it is not my final destiny. I see beyond this world much more clearly.
“It is written: ‘I believed; therefore I have spoken.’ With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” II Corinthians 4:13-18
Jesus shared in God’s glory because He was willing to die in our place in order that we could be saved. I believe that what gives God glory is seeing our faces turning toward Him, seeking Him with everything we have – wanting a deep relationship with Him and inviting others to come along. If we have some small part in introducing people to Him, we share in His glory. And I can hardly wait for the day when we shall see Him face to face.
One of the things that has become clear to me is that God is working all the time. Just because I cannot see what He is doing does not mean He is taking a ‘hands off’ approach to my circumstances. I need to keep talking with Him and trusting Him to be doing what is best in the situation. I am so glad He is the God who can be trusted, that He is the God who loves, nurtures, and does what is best for us.
“Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him—to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.” Romans 16:25-27
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