Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20,21
“It’s not about you.”
That opening line in Rick Warren’s book, Purpose Driven Life. It continues to shake those who read it. It’s telling us that life on this small, blue ball is not to be focused on us. It’s not all about satisfying our every whim and desire. And, believe it or not, it’s not our job to try and make other people feel happy.
Here we are told that life is to be focused outward, not inward. Life is not about us, but about God. And not just some empty, dead, statue of a god, but a loving, personal, intimate God.
To give God glory means to shine the spotlight of life on him. Rather than having it bath us in light, making people look at us, we are to redirect that light to God. We are to deflect attention from ourselves and point people to God. It is to be focused on him, so people see him first and foremost.
By the way, it’s only logical to do this. Since he’s the one who made the universe, made us, gave us life, continuing to give us life every second, it only makes sense to point to him. When we don’t point to God, the only other option is to point to ourselves.
Not pointing to God is the height of being illogical and proud. It would be like holding up a copy of the Mona Lisa and saying we painted it. Or, even worse, pointing to the original and talking about how we went through all the trouble and time to paint it.
And who are the people doing this? Where is the first place we should be giving glory to God? Pointing to him? It seems so simple, but that should happen first in the church. But what’s the church?
First of all, it’s not a building. It’s not even a hall or auditorium. It’s not an organization. It’s also not a Zoom meeting.
A church, the church is first and foremost people. It’s people that have been called out from the world by God, to God. When God calls, they respond by walking to God. Walking with God.
The funny thing is that when people walk towards God, they have to leave the place where they are. You can’t be walking towards God and be in the same place you were standing. Life is not walking on a treadmill. You’re in one place or the other.
When God calls people out from the world, you have to separate yourself from where you were. You can’t be in two places at the same time. You’re either in one or the other.
People in God’s church have been called out from the self-centered world and placed in the God-centered universe. They left the group of people that are all about themselves and have been called to God’s group.
But separation doesn’t mean isolation. Yes, Jesus has chosen us out from the world[1]. But, at the same time, he sends us into the world[2].
God is pleased to use people just like you and me to do a lot of the talking and living in front of our friends and neighbors. And the best way to do that living and speaking is when we point to God in our daily living. That means telling people about the goodness of God when good things happen. But it also means telling people about the goodness of God when the bottom drops out.
God is the same no matter what happens. When prayers are answered. When healing takes place. When the check comes just in time. When relationships are restored. When the light turns green just as you approach the intersection. And he’s just as good when he’s silent. When the tumor spreads. When the overdue notice comes and they take away your car.
Our goal, our purpose in life, is to let God be God. Let him love on us. To receive his love. That’s exactly what Rick Warren says in his message, What Is My Main Purpose In Life[3].
And when we grab ahold of this great truth, it will absolutely transform our life. Guaranteed. It will energize you more than the excitement of that first kiss with the one you love. It will keep you excited and energized all the days of your life.
So, are you letting God love you? Are you on the receiving end of his love? Or are you still trying to earn his love? Are you jumping up and down, waving and yelling, “Hey God, over here?”
It’s time to let God be God. To let God, who is love[4], rain his love down on you. To let him in. To point your life to him.
Noodling Questions
Is it easier to focus your life inward or outward? Why?
Why is it easier not to believe that God loves us when things are going bad?
What are the big barriers in your life that block God from loving you more?
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