40 Posts in 40 Days | Day 7

The Reason for Everything
Originally Written August 23, 2009

Today, I read Matthew 5 & 6!

Point to Ponder:

• It's all for Him.

Question to Consider:

• How in my daily routine could I become more aware of God's glory around me?

This topic is extremely close to home for me, since I'm struggling so much with identity and my overall purpose. it's so easy to be lulled into thinking everything is about me, when in reality I can't lay claim to any of it.

I really feel a lot took place over the last seven days to get me in a better position to realize and accept that I need to do more to bring glory to God. Drawing from the last few days' readings and writings, I've spent more time reading the Bible. I've stayed on track with reading and writing this Purpose-Driven Life project, which is nothing short of miraculous given my abysmal record of self-discipline I typically have in this regard. (If anyone needs a box full of "Yearly Diaries" that all stop around January 3, let me know.) I've examined the gifts that I possess, and sought new ways to use them to further something other than myself. To that end, I've agreed to serve on the board of Home at Last Animal Sanctuary to help them with their grant-writing, and just tonight at Life Group I agreed to help with a data-organization project that came out of the recent Leadership Retreat. I also added my name to the Quest musician list in case the need ever arises for a trombonist.

Not only would none of these things have made sense to me even a year ago, I think I would have openly scoffed at them. Write grants for free? I'm too busy. Read and write every night for forty days? Crazy. Write a spreadsheet to track new volunteers at a church? Me?

But, here I am. I've put myself out there for all these things, not because of any rational process I've gone through but because I'm trying to grow beyond myself. I'm trying to put my talents to use for a life bigger than me. I'm trying, overall, to use my life to somehow glorify God.

For a guy who prides himself at times on being settled into a comfortable routine, it's really living dangerously. Maybe it's the "Courageous Choices" series right now at Quest. It's hard to say. But, not only am I stepping into these things, I'm excited to do so.

Procedural Note: There's an altar call at the end of today's reading... I'm almost hesitant to go forward in the book without first reconciling that, but I feel more that it's important that I keep moving forward. So, I'm going into the "Purpose" section still a seeker. We'll see what pops out on the other side!

Verse of the Day

"For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen."

- Romans 12:36