All For God & His Glory

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God." -1 Corinthians 10:31

All For God. This has been my husband's battle cry since long before we were married. Now it has become our family motto. I used to think "All For God" was just a nice phrase my husband would use to deflect glory away from himself and onto Christ, who most assuredly deserves all the credit and glory for anything good that might seemingly come from us. Someone would congratulate him or myself on some sort of accomplishment, and we would smile, and kindly say, "All For God." Twelve years of marriage and seven babies later this phrase has come to mean all this, but also much more!

To glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This is the chief end of man.

We were created to accomplish glory, but what does that look like? Above average athletic abilities? A 4.0 GPA? What about homemade bread, or well-behaved kids? A Pinterest-worthy decorating style? A certain number of members attending your local church, or a thriving family-owned business? Maybe a certain salary, or the number of kids you have? Praise the Lord, this is NOT a measure or requirement for Christian living. We don't have an endless amount of boxes to check off, or a certain ability level we must attain in order to glorify God. This seems obvious, however as Christians (and Christian women in particular) we often tell ourselves otherwise. We set certain expectations and goals for our self, compare ourselves to other believers, and feel disappointed when we don't measure up. We think we need to have something great to offer in order to give glory to our Creator. Perhaps, in reality, we are hoping for a little of that glory ourselves!?

Charles H. Spurgeon says this,

"You will never glory in God till first of all God has killed your glorying in yourself."

It's easy to say, "All For God" when someone congratulates you on an outstanding accomplishment, but how about when the laundry is piled high, the to-do list keeps getting longer, and you never seem to be at the middle of your game, much less the top? How about when chronic pain or suffering stunts your ability to complete daily tasks? Maybe you long to have a baby, or you've been blessed with several babies yet feel stretched beyond your own capacity. What if your marriage is falling apart, or your finances? Do you have a complaining, frustrated, discontented attitude when things don't seem to be going your way?

Personally, I have found it much more difficult to say, "All For God" when my house is a mess, my kids are bickering, and/or I have not been as disciplined as I know I should. When I have some extra baby (or baked goods) weight to lose, and I am not as patient as I once thought, often I wrongly assume telling myself to "pull it together" will do the trick. Sometimes it helps a little, but what are we to do when we give all we have, and still our own efforts fall flat? It is our pride that makes us pretend to be more than we are. Have you blown it? Should this surprise you? Repent. Believe you have been forgiven, and give glory to your God! We don't need to hash out all our own shortcomings with the hopes of conjuring up a plan to fix our life. Simply look to Christ, and all He has done on your behalf. This is how we are transformed, and God is pleased with our progressive sanctification. We don't need to fear the ongoing need for confession and repentance, but rather give glory to God by honestly recognizing we are nothing without Him.

Whatever situation you find yourself in, there is incredible freedom in Christ! We don't have a long list of all we must accomplish. Our ultimate to-do list is this: Glorify God and enjoy Him forever! Are you a Christian? Glorify God.

"Accomplish glory. Do it when you rise up and when you lie down. Do it when your house looks lovely and when it doesn’t. Do it when things are going smoothly and when the load you carry seems unbearable. Your God does not require from you that which you cannot offer. In every situation that any human will ever find themselves, there is always an opportunity for glory. Find it, and accomplish it. Those stretches of life where you feel like you never accomplish anything at all, accomplish glory. Those moments where you see your plans or hopes falling apart, accomplish glory . . ." ~Rachel Jankovic

So whatever you do, do it ALL for God. If you are a Christian, you are His, and He has equipped you because He has purchased you, to glorify Him forever!

“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” ~1 Corinthians 6:20

Megan Powers is the happily married wife to Skyler and homeschooling momma to their seven fun kids. It's always a party at the Powers Homestead, and she wouldn't have it any other way! Skyler and Megan have been members at FBC Carthage since July 2021.