All Glory

There’s this thing that started happening recently in schools, specifically in the west. Where kids get trophies for participation. And there are two schools of thoughts with this. One, those who believe it is the best way for some kids to not feel less than and fully support it and secondly those who believe it devalues the hard work of those who win.

One thing I’m learning is, this if kind of what God does with us, trophy for participation. He blesses those who He sees fit to bless, it is not a matter of earning your blessings. Truth is, if it was, we’d all for short.

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

- Romans 3:23

we, like Job, need to learn that this walk with God does not work on a reward basis. Blessings are not a reward for goodness and your circumstance is not punishment for bad behaviour. we fall into the trap of pride or vanity when we think that way, when in reality, “it’s not all about you!”

“And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.”

- Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

When all we are seeking is reward for our behaviour our focus has become self, but the essence of this relationship with God is to be Christ centred.

“And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

- Luke 9:23

We must learn truly how to take our eyes of ourselves, to not let our joy be determined by our circumstance, to think that we are the protagonist in the story. Your joy will always be determined by your circumstance if you are your focus. The truth is, we are in this all for Christ and when He is your focus and nothing else you will attract heaven because you’re not seeking the prizes and the rewards.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

- Matthew 6:33

The focus must always be on God, on Him getting the glory, on His Kingdom being served, the more we do that the more we will find alignment and find joy and happiness that outweighs our circumstances.

“I will bless the Lord at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;

The humble shall hear of it and be glad.”

- Psalm 34:1-2

All the glory must go to God at all times and taking a heart posture that does not focus on self but on adoring God, your joy will overflow.