Joni and Friends Daily Devotional
August 3, 2012 >>> Joni Eareckson Tada: communications@joniandfriends.org
I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth - everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. Isaiah 43:6-7
Ever wonder exactly why God created you?
Or why he placed children in your specific family? God couldn't have spelled it out any plainer than in Isaiah 43:6-7.
He created you and me for one purpose: to showcase His glory, to enjoy it, display it, and demonstrate it every day to all those we encounter.
What does it mean to put His glory on display?
It means highlighting His attributes and characteristics.
It means making hard choices to do the right - that is, the righteous - thing.
It means biting your tongue from gossiping, going out of your way for a neighbor in need, telling the truth even when it's hard, not snapping back when someone hurts you, or speaking freely and openly about your Father in heaven.
In short, it's living like Jesus lived when He walked on earth.
God is invisible.
In the Old Testament, whenever He wanted to display His character, His innermost being, He did so through something visible like a burning bush, a pillar of cloud or of fire, or a "Theophany" (an appearance of the pre-incarnate Christ).
In the New Testament, God displayed His glory through His Son, Jesus.
But Jesus doesn't physically walk on earth anymore, and bushes that burn are only in prairie fires or piles of raked leaves.
So how does an invisible God display His glory in this age?
Through you. What a privilege.
Father God, what an honor I've been given!
You no longer choose burning bushes through which to speak, you choose people like me. Point out ways I can showcase your character and glorious qualities to others today.
In so doing, I'll be glorifying you... I'll be living the life I was created to live.
Blessings,
Joni and Friends