So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. — 1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
We are made for God's pleasure. We are created to give Him glory. The Father is glorified through our actions and in our intentions. This is how people are drawn near to God—by seeing that we live with Him in mind.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. — Matthew 5:16 ESV
Often, when I visit family or loved ones and exhibit good behavior, my parents are praised for their parenting. My conduct outside my home reflects their influence. In essence, as you shine your light, your character can either bring praise or shame to your parents.
We may sometimes believe that God doesn't care about our eating and drinking—that He has no regard for our earthly activities. However, we must understand that while God is transcendent (supreme and supernatural), He is also immanent. He engages with and cares about the affairs of humanity. He is always with us.
The Lord woke the Prophet Elijah and instructed him to eat so that he will have strength (1 Kings 19). The Bible, being God's Word, provides guidance on our eating habits:
When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. — Proverbs 23:1-2 ESV
God is concerned about every aspect of our lives because each detail can either draw someone closer to Him or push them away. Most importantly, HE seeks to make us better people.
Human beings often fall into the trap of "eye-service," meaning we tend to perform better when someone is watching. We become so accustomed to the presence of physical beings that we forget about God's omnipresence. Ultimately, it is God whom we seek to please.
A wise man once said, "Before you do it, ask yourself: What would Jesus do?" Jesus clearly stated that He does only what the Father does; this alignment is why the Father endorsed Jesus in remarkable ways:
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise." — John 5:19 ESV
And behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” — Matthew 3:17 ESV
To give God glory means to honor Him, praise HIM and attach to HIM great dignity. It also means to worship HIM. How we live reflects on the God we serve; it’s not enough for us to know that God is good; others must know it too! Through our actions—not just our words—we can lead souls to God. Let God, who supplies all your needs, be glorified through and in you as well!
Understanding what God desires requires intentional dedication to His Word as revealed in the Holy Bible.
Heavenly Father,
I am exceedingly thankful that YOU count me worthy to give GLORY to YOUR name. I pray for the grace to give YOU glory in all I do in JESUS name.
