Glorifying God

What does it mean to glorify God? This is a question that I got asked last semester and I had no idea what it really meant. Before I get into what it means to glorify God, let me give you a background on who I am and where I am at in my life.

My name is Amy. I am currently a freshmen at Northland International University. I have been at the college for one semester and I can tell you that it is AMAZING. The faculty/staff, students, everything is awesome. You can see that everyone here has a desire to serve the Lord and that is what is so great about this place. Here's the bonus: I have awesome roommates!

About halfway through last semester the Lord changed my life. I was talking with my roommate and she had asked me about when I had gotten saved. I proceeded to tell her and as i was telling her I started realizing that I didn't really know what salvation was. You would think I did because I grew up going to church, but i realized that I didn't really know what it was. She started asking me more questions about my salvation and I finally just said "I don't think I really know what salvation is." So, my roommate started to tell me what it was. The cool thing was that she didn't do the "Romans Road" which was something I was familiar with. Instead, she started from the very beginning. After she had explained everything it finally clicked. It made so much sense. I like to call myself a "baby" Christian because I am starting a new life with my Lord, and learning to walk with Him and grow in my relationship with Him. One of the first things I remember learning was what it means to glorify God.

Most of us don't think about some of the actions we take toward things or even pay attention to what our  attitudes are like. Last semester I didn't show up to one of my classes two days in a row because I didn't "feel" like going. I didn't really want to go because I didn't want to practice my speech in front of the entire class. I would rather practice it on my own and then present it. Well, later that night I got together with my roommate for our Bible study and told her about it. She asked me, "does that glorify God?" I didn't respond. She then said, "do you know what it means to glorify God?" I said no. I didn't know what it means. Now I do.

Glorifying God means that whatever we do needs to reflect Christ. He wouldn't skip a class just because He didn't feel like it. He wouldn't be late to class, or leave early. He wouldn't be a distraction to the teacher either. Do you know why? Because He is faithful. He is always true to His Word, and He never changes.

I was reminded of this again this past Friday. I went to work not feeling well and I was a little bit frustrated. I usually do not bring things with me to work. I try and be in the best mood possible. Well, this night I let my frustration get the best of me. About halfway through the work shift my crew chief sends me home home. I walk into my dorm room frustrated and my roommate could tell. I couldn't explain to her why I was so frustrated. We went to the prayer room and talked, and again she reminded me of what it means to glorify God. It is so easy to forget that we are not here to serve ourselves or be so consumed in our actions and our feelings, but that we are here to serve the Lord, and bring glory to His name.

Since I found "new life" in Jesus I have had so much joy. He is all that I need and He gives my the strength that I need to serve Him.

Jesus is all the world to me, my life my joy my all; He is my strength from day to day, without him I would fall. When I am sad, to him I go, no other one can cheer me so; when I am sad He makes me glad - He's my friend. -- Will L. Thompson

Colossians 3:11 "...Christ is all and in all."