Throughout the past three months, as I was introduced to and placed in this season of adversity, one of my primary prayers has been that God is glorified. In the past when I have faced trials not nearly as grievous, I have completely blown it in terms of turning to God for help. Instead, I pitched temper tantrums, kicking and screaming, demanding my rights, trying to figure out a solution myself, and ultimately drawing further away from God instead of closer to Him. In the end I would feel even more hopeless and alone.
So this time around it has been my utmost desire for God to look upon me and smile. I want my thoughts, actions, and words to make Him happy. The ultimate gift would be for Him to look at me and say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” (Matthew 25:23).
Jesus was the perfect example this. In John 11 Jesus hears the news that Lazarus, His dear friend, is very sick. “But when Jesus heard about it he said, ‘Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.; So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he stayed for the next two days. Finally, he said to his disciples, ‘Let’s go back to Judea.’” (John 11:4-7). We know that Lazarus was Jesus’s dear friend and that He loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, but although He loved them, He stayed for two more days before He went to Lazarus. In the meantime, Lazarus died. Instead of rushing to Lazarus out of desperation and worry, Jesus was so attuned to His Father, that He waited out of obedience. Through His waiting and Lazarus’s death, we see the reason God wanted Jesus to wait – so that God could be glorified through Jesus as the Source of Life when Jesus rose Lazarus from the dead. God’s reason for this trial was to bring glory to Himself, and He accomplished it through Jesus’s obedience to Him.
At the same time, Jesus’s disciples were not as diligent in waiting for God’s direction. “But his disciples objected. ‘Rabbi,’ they said, ‘only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?’” (John 11:8). This is typically me. I am the one to object to God’s ways, God’s plans. I question God, and try to remind Him that His ways aren’t really the best for me right now. However, I ultimately realize that God’s way always prevails regardless. I can either take the straight road there and glorify Him in the journey, or I can take the detour and create more heartache for myself.
Recently, in my efforts to “get it right this time” and glorify God, I have forgotten this important truth that God’s way always prevails regardless. I have been giving myself way too much credit. Yes, it is important to me to not turn my back on God, doubt His goodness, and deny Him because I don’t fully understand the reasons for all that I am experiencing. And yes, by continuing to look to Him and rest in Him He will be glorified through me in this trial. However, He is bigger than anything I can imagine, and despite myself, God will be glorified. I can either surrender to Him as His disciple and assist Him in His plan as He leads me, or I can turn away; however, regardless, He will prevail.
Colossians 1:16 says, “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” All of these things we are experiencing were created by God and for God. By God. For God. So that eyes will see Him, ears will hear Him, and hearts will be open to Him.
I want God to receive ALL of the glory through this trial. The glory He receives is not because of me. It is despite of me.
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