To God Be the Glory – May 7, 2021

[Jesus said] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. . . . You are the branches. . . . This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
John 15:1,5,8

To God Be the Glory

Everyone has a “born on” date. And we all have an “expiration” date. Everything in between is summed up with a “dash.” The question is, what do we do with the “dash” between those dates? What are we supposed to do with our lives?

Look to plant life for the answer. A vine produces grapes. A flower blooms. A stalk sprouts ears of corn. But it is the gardener who makes it happen. He chooses the seed and gives it life by planting it in good soil. He makes it grow and flourish by watering it and weeding around it. So, when a plant is fruitful, the glory belongs to the gardener.

This is the way for God’s people. From eternity he chose us to be his own. Through faith in his Son, our Savior, he gives us life. By his word, he causes us to grow and flourish in line with his will. So, when we are fruitful, it is because God is at work in us for his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).

So, what do we do with the dash? What are we supposed to do with our lives? We don’t all bear the same fruits, but we all have the same Father. He loves us. He gives us life and the ability to produce.

“So, whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and giving me life in your Son. Help me to glorify you in all that I think, and say, and do. Amen.