May 23, 2020
John 17:1-6 … “I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do.” vs. 4
According to John, Jesus glorified God by finishing the work that he had been given to do. It’s no accident then that in John’s Gospel, Jesus’ last words from the cross are, “It is finished!” He had completed his mission and was ready for whatever came next. This isn’t a bad model for those who desire to walk in his Way. We aren’t called by God to figure out ways to glorify ourselves during our time on earth, something that’s an obvious emphasis of our current cultural environment. Too many people are already following that path. What they desire more than anything else is fame and attention, glory for themselves and fortune for their families. No, our calling is related to the particular blessings we’re able to share in our everyday encounters with ordinary people. This happens at work, in neighborhoods, and in our homes every single day. In those moments the Christ in us reaches out to connect with the Christ in others and the fruits of love are magnified. We may never achieve fame or wealth but that’s not what we’ve been born for. Our vocation is all about love connections, big and small, with other children of God, wherever we meet them. And, as with Jesus, that work will never be finished until the day we die!
Thought for the Day: Why are some folks obsessed with personal glory?
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