How do we best impact the world for God's glory?

How do you or I best impact the world for God's glory?

By shining God forth by our deeds and words in a way most suitable to our abilities, gifts, talents, resources, time, and experience. No matter who you are or what you do - be that a truck driver, a sales person, a surgeon, a mother, homemaker, and spouse, a cashier, a nurse or an author etc. - do all to the glory of God. 

The good news is we are not rewarded based on our gifts but our ¹faithfulness. In this sense, we are all equal and on a level playing field. Bringing God honor has nothing to do with our gifts or "station" in life but our heart i.e. why we act. The more we use whatever gifts God has given us, for His glory, the greater our reward. The widow's mite would be a perfect example. 

In so doing, we must also recognize we will encounter resistance - thorns, and thistles - in our efforts, no matter what we do. Even if you are doing what you love and are called to do there are still mistakes, failures, offenses, hurt, accidents, loss, damage etc. 

A difficult path does not mean it's the wrong path. We are not supposed to quit because we encounter difficulties, it simply means we are broken and live in a broken world. 

Christ said, "in this world, you will have trouble (tribulation)..." It is inevitable. There is no "if" or "when" we will encounter challenges, only what kind and how we will handle them. 

Persisting in using whatever God has given you in the face of great opposition actually brings Him greater honor and glory. It shows you value him and desire to honor Him more than the comfort you set aside to pursue him - i.e. your desire to show him forth out of love for him is greater than any discomfort or pain you may encounter doing so. This is the essence of taking up our cross and denying ourselves. 

So whatever you set your hand to do, do it with persistence, faith, and for his honor. And when you're done he will tell you "well done good and faithful servant..." enter into your rest and reward - rest implies there was struggle in  accomplishing your task. Not just any task but a good and right one.

There is no complete avoidance of pain in this life. That comes later. For now, we have the opportunity to "fill up" the sufferings of Christ and let them prepare us to take part in heavenly glory, when we are face to face with God himself and basking in His never ending glory. 

For a further discussion on what it means to be broken click here

For a discussion on the nature of our reward click here. 

For a further discussion on being in God's will click here

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¹The truck driver who seeks to honor God in all he says and does will be honored by God and told "well done good and faithful servant" - while the author who sells many bestsellers that lead people away from God will not.