March 26, 2015

a simple thought.


Jesus said to the Jews: "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death." So the Jews said to him, "Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ´Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.´ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets, who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?" Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ´He is our God.´ You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and I keep his word. Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad. So the Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM." So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the Temple area.

John 8:51-59 (emphasis mine)








OOPS, I did it again. I was going to write about something else (laundry....ooooo how exciting) but then all these thoughts started swirling during my morning prayers and, well, detour. 


This is today's Gospel reading and sometimes I choose to read it instead of my usual ditty. And, this morning, I'm glad I did. I chose to include the whole reading for context but there was one line in particular that jumped out at me - the line I bolded and made big (so that it can slap me in the face with it's awesomeness over and over). 


"If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing...." Ah, snap. How easy it is to fall into this trap. Social media. Seeking the validation we all need and crave. Putting our little selves on big pedestals. These things aren't bad in and of themselves however once we receive the props it ends there. Whatever it is we used to seek this attention has it's purpose "fulfilled" in the accolades. And I use quotes because there is (there should be) more...so much more.


"...but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, 'He is our God.' " THIS. This is where it all should end, right?! It's up to the FATHER to gives us the props - the so called glory we desire. What does this mean?? Well, Jesus gives us the example. Our actions, our words, our lives aren't meant to end with just us. They're meant to reflect and point back to the Father - the one who gave us life. And in this process God will illuminate and make beautiful everything it is we have to offer. The glory won't end with us - it will bounce off God, shine through us out to the world, and hopefully (HOPEFULLY) suck everyone in and draw them back to the Father. 


That's why I'm here people - to suck you in and draw you back to the Father. Muhahahaha. Speaking of suck, I really do suck at it sometimes (a lot of the time). Selfishness, vanity, needing validation are all easy things to get swallowed into and I'm SO not immune. Goodness gracious I pray every morning that whatever it is I put here is well intentioned, not dumb, and doesn't just stop with me. 


Won't you join me in this prayer?? And if you're not the praying type how about joining me in making life not about us. Let's make it about everyone else - making others better. Loving others better. This is where true peace is found - true glory is found. Although, to be honest, I haven't quite figured out how to reflect God's glory in hashtag all. the. laundry.



















2 comments:

Kara Murphy said...

Not dumb at all. AT ALL! Keep them coming, pretty mama. I'm so thankful I found your blog. While there can be so much on Internet Land that screams "me-me-me," blogs like yours are a welcome retreat and a nice escape (!) from my own life as a mama of 4 little ones. God bless!

Unknown said...

thank you!! I'm so glad you found the blog, too! And may God bless YOU and your little ones :)