The Best Life

12/23/2020

Galatians 6:14 “But God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

There is someone very dear to me that does not like any form of recognition given to him. He shines when he is on stage, and afterward is lauded by everyone. One newspaper reviewer wrote he was “The sun which all of the other planets (actors) orbit.” Pretty high praise. Ever since he was young and started to perform, however, he was uncomfortable with his notices, always preferring to draw attention to the cast as a whole. Even when he played the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, and had his “Disney moment” with all the children who approached him, he still remained humble and gracious. Even now, as he continues to use the gifts that God has given him, he does not seek glory. He truly is living his life on the path that God has placed him on. Is it an easy path? Goodness no, but it is one that he is secure and joyful on. He is also grateful.

I have never received the accolades that this man has, although I believe I would be uncomfortable with them as well. I have, however, received some very kind and supportive words around the daily writing I do here. When this happens, I feel humbled and grateful as well, because I feel God has been truly guiding me throughout this journey. My response to any praise bestowed on me is always to say, “To God be the glory.” This statement rolls off my tongue and out of my fingers with such ease that I do not even have to think about how to react; I know the purpose of my sitting here writing at this exact moment is to glorify my Savior. Nothing else I do, nothing at all, is as important to me as venerating my God and sharing the good news of the Gospel. Galatians 6:14 in the NIV translation reads, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

Chambers writes, “Every now and again, Our Lord lets us see what we would be like if we were not for Himself: it is a justification of what He said—‘Without Me ye can do nothing.’ That is why the bedrock of Christianity is personal, passionate devotion to the Lord Jesus.” I have known myself without an ardent devotion to Jesus, and I have known myself enthusiastically dedicated to Him. I can say with 100% certainty that a life devoted to Jesus and not the world is the best life.