When we lived in the prairies the saying was, “There are two seasons; winter and construction.”  Yesterday evening I watched this huge machine tear up old pavement, pulling up a depth of at least 6 inches at a time, grinding the old pavement into pieces, depositing it into a waiting truck. I maneuvered the car between the pylons as the signs indicated.

Driving slowly past the construction workers I saw them hard at work.  I wondered what it would be like to have their job, sitting high atop that powerful machine. I thought to myself, ‘I’d like to try that for a day’ and then I thought, ‘Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). Whatever means ‘anything and everything’. “There is no part of our life, and no action so minute, that it ought not to be directed to the glory of God” (Calvin).  Whether driving through the construction site, or working at the construction site, whether doing menial or productive work – in anything and everything, consider, our lives are to glorify God. I am sure Brengle (1860-1936), a gifted law student and preacher, wasn’t thinking first of the glory of God when he entered The Salvation Army to serve.  He writes of his first assignment which was to shine the shoes of others.  He thought he would be welcomed and put to work as a gifted preacher!  “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Driving through the construction site, and hearing people honk as cars didn’t speed up quick enough upon exiting the construction site, reminded me that it is easy to become impatient with some things in life. Maneuvering through construction is a bit tedious - like shining a row of shoes, or for me, emptying the dishwasher.  It is easy to live not for the glory of God but, in all honesty, thinking of ourselves first. When the LORD said to his people, “I will not give my glory to another”, that included us giving glory to ourselves!  It is so easy to think about life through the lens of self.   Scripture reminds us that Jesus, who left heaven’s glory, set an example for us. We are invited to have the same attitude of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2). He came not to inherit what earth could give, in the way of power, prestige, or honour, but came to serve.  In serving us, an example profoundly seen as he washed the disciples’ feet, he brought glory to God his Father. Even greater, his death and resurrection, offering our salvation, were to the glory and praise of the Father.

As Jesus’ followers, we know it is Christ in us that ultimately brings glory to God, but we would want every part of our life to bring glory to him every day. The following words remind us that it is the Spirit in us that will enable us, the people of God, and the church of God, to live and grow in this manner.  This song, written for one of North York Temple’s anniversaries, by Robert and Gwenyth Redhead (Retired Salvation Army Officers) contains beautiful lyrics. It reminds us that in the Spirit we truly are living ‘to his praise and glory.’ You may want to sing along with one of the beautiful worship offerings found on the internet.

To Your Glory and Your Praise

Precious Lord, we are so grateful

As we pause to think today

Of the footsteps that we follow,

As new pilgrims on the way.

May our mem’ries make us hopeful,

Give us strength to carry on;

Make us holy, keep us faithful, to the honour of your name

  To your glory and your praise, O God,

  to your glory and your praise,

  in your Spirit we are living

  to your glory and your praise.

Once again, we become we come before you;

We are open to your will.

May your Spirit work among us

Your great vision to fulfill.

Lord, we pray your church may flourish,

Deeply rooted in your love;

growing upward, reaching outward, living witness to the world.

  To your glory and your praise, O God,

  to your glory and your praise,

  in your Spirit we are living

  to your glory and your praise.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:2-21). 

With care and in prayer,