So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:31)
We are creatures of time, marking our lives by the year we were born, worked our first job, when we graduated, got married, had children, started our business, became grandparents.
So when the calendar rolls from one year to the next, it’s natural to want to make resolutions, setting goals and planning for new opportunities. But while doing so, as believers we must not forget who we are and why we are here – from our Maker’s perspective.
God created us to be in time… but He made us for eternity (Eccl. 3:11). Even if we are blessed to live 100 years, this snippet in time is still only a “vapor” when compared to living forever in the vast greatness of God’s overall plan (James 4:14).
As you welcome the new year, go ahead and make your resolutions, but not as many do where they make it all about themselves and little to nothing about God. We have bought into a lie and deceive ourselves when we believe that to make our mark in life we must take control of our circumstances and create the life we want. Christ Himself said the sure way to “lose” your life is to try in your own power to “save” it (Matt. 16:25).
Life is not all about us – rather, it is all about God, enjoying how He works through us and around us, transforming us to more beautifully reflect Him. In short, every part of our life in 2018 and beyond should be about glorifying Him.
Pure and simple, God made us… and redeemed us… to glorify Him. And through the process of sanctification, God is transforming us into the likeness of Christ so that we can be ambassadors of His gospel here on earth.
Perhaps some of the following verses will help you as you make godly resolutions to live a robust and fruitful 2018.
Isaiah 43:7: “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory…”
Revelation. 4:11: “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
Romans 12:2 makes it plain: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
1 Peter 2:9: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
1 Peter 4:11: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
May you align your plans for 2018 with Scripture… with an eye toward eternity. Rest and walk. Rest in the truth that whatever He has ordained is right. Walk by faith in Him – His purpose for you – His plan for you – His promises for you. And know that God has already sorted out the particulars.
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My Glorious God,
I am bombarded with urgings to determine my “success” in the New Year by mapping out a plan for what I want to accomplish. While I know this has its place, help me not get sidetracked by focusing on this “vapor” of a life and losing sight of the truth that Your purpose for me is to glorify You in the here and now and throughout all eternity.
Open my eyes, Lord, to my sinful, self-serving, bootstrapping ways. Show me those areas in my life that I believe I control and effect. Keep me focused on the truth that the harder I work to “save” my life, the closer I come to wasting it. Let me use, the resources, time, relationships and opportunities you place before me, but not for selfish ends. Help me understand, and believe Your promise that I will “find” life when I lose it in complete surrender to You. Amen.
- Lord, at my going out or coming in, bless all my steps from this time forth for evermore (Ps. 121:8). Grant that whether I eat or drink, or whatever I do, I do it all to Your glory. And prosper the work of my hands, O Lord (Ps. 90:17). In everything, let me seek Your glory.
- Give me grace to keep a conscience void of offence toward You and toward all men (Acts 24:16). Teach me to number my days that I may apply my heart to wisdom (Ps. 90:12). Let my mouth be filled with Your praise, that I may sing of Your glory and honor all the day long (Ps. 71:7).
- All love and all glory be to You, O God, who first loved me. To You who loved me and washed me from my sins in Your own blood, be glory and dominion for ever and ever.
- O blessed Spirit, shed abroad Your love in my heart. Help me praise the Lord while I live. Yes, as long as I am alive, I will sing praises to You.
Further References for 1 Cor. 10:31
2 Sam. 15:15; John 2:5, 15:14; Col. 3:17; Rom. 3:23
