My Purpose Is To display the Glory of God
by Suzanne Benner
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life” (John 9:3 ).
When Jesus’ disciples saw a man who had been blind since he was born, they assumed it was the result of sin. Jesus quickly corrected their misunderstanding with the statement above from John 9:3.
God’s intention to display his glory in this man was planned before the man was born.
You see, no one had ever heard of a person who was born blind being given sight. Thus when Jesus healed him, it would be clear that the miracle was something only God could do.
Though the Pharisees questioned the miracle, the event transformed the man himself. His life became a megaphone proclaiming what God can do.
The man born blind isn’t the only person whose life has been orchestrated in order that it would be a platform for the work of God. God has a purpose for each one of us. Your whole life has been planned and prepared to be a series of opportunities for God’s work to be displayed.
Hardships, trouble, short comings, handicaps are all suitable circumstances for God’s power to be revealed in your life.
Musical talents, academic ability, technical aptitude, creative potential when used for God are also ways God exhibits his glory through your life.
~God make me aware of the ways that You desire to display Your works in my life. Teach me to be obedient and humble, allowing Your glory to be revealed.
About the Author
This devotional was written by Suzanne Benner. Read more about Suzanne: http://www.talk.thelife.com/authors/suzanne-benner/
Going Deeper
Consider these questions: How have you seen the work of God revealed in situations that at first look disastrous? What stands in the way of you believing that God desires to reveal His glory in you?
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16 Responses to “My Purpose Is To display the Glory of God”
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Do we by our desire to solve our own problems or accomplish our own goals hinder God from being God in our lives.
Jesus help me to open minded and humble to your calling help me to see that all things happen as you will so that i can become a testimony of your ability to transform even the worst of sinners. Help me to surrender to your calling and know that your way is THE ONLY WAY. Amen
yes,we all wonder why terrible things could still happen to us when God is with us.Infact He assures us all the time that He is with us,IMMANUEL,bUT thru my experince i realized that no matter how disastrous the situation is,it will never, never lessen the SOVEREIGNTY Of God.It learned me to trust Him more and wait for His perfect timing to happen.Somehow it also taught me to be humble and to stop being selfish because He is in control,and to surrender everything to Him for in His time He makes all things beautiful.Amen
How clear it is that God has a purpose for each one of us. How i pray that He may reveal my purpose on this earth. Lord i want to serve you. Show me how, i ask of you.
I await your revelation in thankgiving. Amen
Yes I know God has a plan for my life as he has revealed it! Thirteen years ago I went through a devasting divorce(adultery)and thought my life was over, This situation which I thought was the end of my life as I knew was only the begining. I am happier in my life than I ever thought possible. Even though I was born with Celebral Palsy and blind in one eye.God blessed me with two beautiful children who are now outstanding adults.I now travel to see my son in California, something I whould have never done if still married So yes God is an awsome God!
Monica, what a difficult road your mother and you have had and continue to have. I join you in your feelings of not understanding why God has allowed this continuing illness.
Yesterday I was thinking about the familiar verse, “Be still and know that I am God;” (Psalm 46:10) It is good to stop and just acknowledge that God is God. The rest of the verse isn’t as familiar. It says, “I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” As I was thinking about how those two parts of the verse fit together, it struck me that God will be exalted – regardless. He will be exalted if I stop and acknowledge that He is God and He will be exalted if I don’t. The thought brought me to my knees. Although I don’t understand all the whys and hows, I want God to be exalted in my life. He will be exalted regardless of what I do, but I want to be part of that process, I want Him to be exalted in me.
~Holy God, I lift up Monica and her mother before You. We don’t understand why You have let this suffering go on so long. We can’t see how this could be part of Your purpose. Yet, right now we stop and acknowledge that You are God, far beyond all our understanding. Reveal Your glory to Monica. Show her how and where You are at work. Help her to rely on You and trust in You. Strengthen her for whatever lies ahead. Remind her of Your unfailing love. Amen.
Monica, I hope it helps to tell you what I learned from my own Mother’s health problems. She had a devastating stroke and was completely pralyzed on the right side and lost her speech. I prayed that this woman who had been the driver for all her friends, who was instrumental in serving the
poor in our community, and whose love of God was manifest in so many ways would be released and could go home to the Lord. This did not happen BUT . . . during the 3 1/2 years she lived after the stroke, I learned a patience with all the problems we face daily, my brother learned to speak of love for and to her, and she was constantly “fed” by her community of friends. She was still “spunky” and could let you know with that left hand if she was not happy with anything ! When she went to be with her Lord, there were so many people who would never have known the riches of the Lord without those 3 1/2 years . . . nurses, doctors, friends, pastor, visitors, . . . Remember the Lord wants you to look past the disability and learn from it. Annie
I know many people wonder what talents we have today which can be a service to God. It is great that you gave a list of current talents and behaviors that God use through us today.
Dee
Adianne I was praying about this last night and this morning . I was actually crying about it. Because I do want to do what ever Gods plan is and know his call. I pray God would reveal himself to you too. :)
This devotional is very timely. I am going through a hard time of wondering how I’m suposed to use my artistic talent while being a teacher and mom. I know God gave me this desire but I’m not sure what to do with it and how keep keep the balance of using it for God and my own pleasure. I have seen Gods glory in school with the children and I praise him for that. But I’m wondering what to do with this strong desire to create.
Well, this one is kinda tricky for me. I realize that God is with us through our struggles, and He is the reason we overcome our trials…but I don’t always understand why He has us struggle for so long. My mom developed MS when she was 16 (she was diagnosed at 20). Her’s has been the slow deteriorating kind. She was very healthy for many years (relativly speaking). Well, she just turned 50…but you would think she was 90. She is having a very bad “spell” right now and she can no longer walk. She used to be very musically talented, but now it is taken away from her, and it was a talent she used at our Church. She still is teaching piano, and doing what she can. I just don’t see what the purpose of her living with MS like this will accomplish. Why won’t God heal her? We have been praying for a miracle since I was a little girl…nothing. Now I’m not sure how to pray. I can’t imagine living with out my mom, and not having my baby boy know his Grandma, but I hate to see her like this.
Lord, if it is your will please heal my mom. It is getting so hard for her to live like this. If a miracle is not what you desire for her…please take her home. And Lord, if your choice is neither of these, please help me learn to live with Your answer. Amen
you know what’s funny? This is only my 2nd devotional that I have recieved and it is exactly what I have been thinking about for a while. What plan does God have for me and am I doing the right thing by him?
Yes, Chris, we can see God and be used by God in all kinds of situations . . . I have a terrible temper and dealing with it over many years has helped me to learn what you are learning . . . that God can use bad situations to lead us to him and through them lead others to Him. Congratulations, Chris, in being used by God. Annie
From the begining of creation in Gen.1:28 show us that God instruct us to be multiply, be fruitful, take dominion so with this in what ever area we find our self we must know that we are not there by accident and if know that we that our primary assignment is display the Glory of God because HE said his glory he we not share with anybody. So I thank God for creating me in his image and likeness that I may display his glory on heart.
From the begining of creation in Gen.1:28 show us that God instruct us to be multiply, be fruitful, take dominion so with this in what ever area we find our self we must know that we are not there by accident and if know that we that our primary assignment is display the Glory of God because HE said his glory he we not share with anybody. So I thank God for creating me in his image and likeness that I may display his glory on heart.
Bola
This really hit home for me today. Over the weekend A friend suggest that we get together with another friend, I was calling the third and got a call back from him Yes he could and would met for coffee. Will it never happen, after I made it all the way to the coffee shop we were to meet at. I ended up waiting a long time and ended up walking home because Bus serve is not good here on Sundays. When I got home I was in alot of pain(arthritic and not use to walking for 45 mintes) and pretty upset. Well, throu the 3rd friend I sent an email to the first friend letting him know how upset I was. the next day got one from him with how busy he was and that we hadn’t for sure set anything up but most important was an emergency had come up and he had to rush out. On monday, after a couple false starts, I managed to get an email of to him and received an answer over night letting me know yes he should of called to let one of us know plans had to be changed, but then he came to my point, He told me that I had let him know how I had felt rather then let things fester and me really blowing up. Well, I had to answer that one with telling him that it was a reflexion of knowing him for almost 1 and a half years.
He has really showen me throu actions that I don’t have to just blow up, I can let others know how I am feeling without doing that, Which is what GODS been trying to tell me for years.
I knew GOD had sent this friend into my life for a reason
Good question … what stands in the way of my believing God desires to reveal His Glory in my life. My initial response to this is that I lack confidence. I tend to think I don’t have any significant talents. But I am reminded today that it’s not about me, but, about what God will do through me. Any successes I have are the result of God working through me, not the result of me, my efforts or my talents. All I have to do is be obedient to where God leads and He will take care of the rest. God know what talents we have in us because He put them there. We all probably have talents we haven’t even discovered yet. If we’re obedient to where God leads He will reveal them, but, we have to step out in Faith. Thanks, Suzanne, for the thought provoking questions.