Thursday, March 22, 2007

Pondering God's glory

'For the recognition of the King'

It is a phrase that God is bringing me around to understanding. As far as I know, I am the person who came up with it, but God is the one who is bringing me back again and again to what it means as well as all the areas it touches.

As I begin to write this, I am overwhelmed and begin to despair. How can I possibly explain in writing everything God is impressing on my heart? Where do I start? Creation? my birth? the past year? the last month? or yesterday when I came up with the phrase? Thank God, His word is complete, and I don't have to worry about adding to the Bible. But, I hope He can be recognized in me, even in my writing.

It all started with the idea that everything is for the glory of God. But, to me, glory has always been a somewhat hazy word. Just what is the glory of God? I have heard that it is similar to honor. I could understand that a little better, but I still couldn't grasp it for sure.

During the last supper, in the Gospel of John 13:31-32, Jesus says, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately." In my mind this was all rather confusing, until I heard that the word 'glorify' could be interpreted as 'recognized'. Everything started to fall into place for me. So, Jesus will be recognized for who He is, God will be recognized in Jesus, and Jesus will be recognized in God. His human "disguise" was finally going to be taken off and He would be recognized as God in the flesh.

I desire to glorify God. Today, He chooses that He will reside in and work through imperfect people. People like me. I desire for people to recognize God for who He is. He is in disguise again. A much harder disguise than last time. If a perfect Man claiming to be God threw them off, how much more this?

Is He recognizable in me? I imagine that being God made Jesus act pretty different than other people. Can people see that I act differently because God lives in me? Can people see anything in my life or in my person that is different or desirable to them?

Do I recognize Jesus as my King? He will not force my allegiance. While claiming to others that He has supreme right over me and my life, do I disobey and disregard His commands?

The lesson God has been teaching me through this is humility. I come out of this test as a die-hard religious hypocrite. Jesus sticks with me anyway. He wants me to keep His name, even though I have brought shame to it and no doubt will again.
If any good, noble, worthy, or desirable thing is in me, recognize that as my King. Perhaps others can have good things in themselves without having Jesus' Lordship in their lives, but in my life it is not so. I know when critical choices between right and wrong arise, only Jesus' love has constrained me to choose as I have.

Lord, be recognized for who You are.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

hey lauren! is this your blog? i thought i'd check it out since i was online! love you and thanks for doing that bible study!

Lauren S. said...

You found me Jesse! Thanks for coming

Anonymous said...

Oh good...I can comment now. I so wanted to be the first to comment on your blog but oh well. Lucky Jess beat me to it :) I love it!

watching for Him with you...Cass

Anonymous said...

Your post reminded me of this old hymn:
I serve a risen Saviour, he's in the world today.
I know that He is living whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy, I hear his voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him, He's always near.
He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today.
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.
He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart.
You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart.

I'm looking, too...

Anonymous said...

hey lauren!
bible study was awesome yesterday! I really enjoyed it=) luv yah, see you sunday,
~bailey~

Kate said...

Hey!! I love that you have a blog! I'm excited to hear what God is doing in your life and about things you are pondering. I love you!!

Lauren S. said...

Kate!!! I'm glad you found it. It will take a little while for me to catch up with yours. =)Love you, give the girls kisses for me.

Anonymous said...

NICE BLOG

Jenn said...

Hey there Lauren! Fantastic post--you're on exactly the right track. Well written and excellent insights. Keep up the great work. Luv ya

e!LeeN said...

'A Die Hard Religious Hypocrite.' We all should be humbled by that statement, Lauren, thank you for the reminder of 'who's in charge.' Keep up the awesome work, I miss and love you tons!

Sarah Bradshaw said...

Wow. I am totally twice-floored, Lauren! Floored at first by the excellence of your writing and the amazingly big/deep thoughts that you communicated (it totally resonates with my soul!). Floored the second time by the amount of impact you're having already (judging by your comments, you're not one who racks up site hits by visiting her own blog!). Keep up the amazingness factor, my dear! Can't wait to read the next one!

Bailey said...

Hey Lauren,
I think this is the first time i have read your post word for word, WOW! you are amazing, and totaly the right person to lead the girls bible study!I am excited about the next one!=)! Luv u and hope you are having an awesome day!

Anonymous said...

Hey Naun...
I'm glad you got something out of my fretting about the Chinese orphans, etc. May God keep touching your heart...I just love it when He does that. It just makes life a little bigger :) Blessings from your friend Cass