Glory to God Alone

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry.  He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of Heaven and Earth will pause to say, 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.'"  We have all met that street sweeper.  Oh, he may be a check out clerk at Kroger who remembers your name every week, or the restaurant server who goes out of her way to make sure you get exactly what you want, no matter how far off the menu it may be. Yes, we've all seen him, and the excellence with which he carries out his job never fails to impact us.

I immediately thought of one of those "uncomfortable" verses of scripture that proves the truth of Dr. King's words.  Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."  Whatever you do. Wow. 1st Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) echoes the same sentiment:  "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."  Seriously, the Lord is concerned about what I eat and drink? The context of that verse is dealing with conflicting views between Jews and Gentiles on traditional Jewish dietary laws, but if God hadn't meant it, He wouldn't have put it in scripture where I could read it 2,000 years later. The truth is that if I claim to be a child "of the Book," I had best for a child who lives "BY the Book!"  If I want to associate my name with His, how can I do any less than work "as if for Him?"  The answer is, I can't.

Many people miss the great significance of the mundane tasks we are faced with every day.  I wonder if those who achieve great things in this world make it their life's goal to achieve great things, or if they achieve great things because they seek to do the small things that dot their daily calendars and to do lists with excellence.  I believe the answer can only be found in trusting the Lord and relying on Him day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute.

The world renowned composer, Johann Sebastian Bach, did something that we can all learn from.  A trademark of his original works are the initials "JJ" carefully scripted at the top of a composition.  "JJ" stands for "Jesu Juva," "Help me Jesus."  Bach recognized that he was incapable of completing the work without the help of the Lord, and he clearly sought God from the beginning to the end of the composing process.  When the work was finished, there was a final trademark left by the master.  At the bottom of the final page, the initials "SDG" can also be found.  Soli Deo Gloria. Glory to God alone.  What a concept.  Trust in the Lord and rely on Him daily, and when the day is done, give Him all the glory.  I am no theologian, but somehow this picture of working with all my heart as if for the Lord resonates within me. Pastor Robert Morris says the Lord doesn't need us, but he wants to partner with us.  I don't know about you, but this seems like an offer I shouldn't turn down.

I think Mother Teresa brought another piece to this discussion that bears serious consideration.  She said, "We can not do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love."  Great love that has it's source in the one who promises if we come thirsty He will give us living water.

So what ever we do-teach children, care for the sick, serve food, educate people on health and wellness, engineer buildings, or sweep streets-let's partner with the God of the Universe-for His glory.

Until next time..
Pam
SDG