Prioritizing God’s Glory in All Things

Scripture

John 11:4-6 (NIV) 
“When he heard this, Jesus said, ‘This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.’ Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.”

Reflection:
At first glance, this passage can seem puzzling. Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus deeply, yet He chose to delay His response to their urgent need. Why would He wait when those He loved were suffering? The answer lies in His ultimate priority: the glory of God. Jesus’ love for His friends was undeniable, but His love for the Father and His commitment to God’s glory took precedence. This teaches us a profound lesson about priorities. 

In our lives, we often face situations where good things—serving others, loving our families, fulfilling responsibilities—compete for our attention and energy. But Jesus shows us that even good things can become misplaced if they overshadow our primary calling: to glorify God. When our hope and devotion are rooted in Him, everything else flows from that relationship. Service becomes a joy, not a burden; love becomes an overflow, not an obligation. 

Application:
1. Examine Your Priorities: Are there good things in your life that have unintentionally taken the place of God? Ask the Lord to help you reorder your heart so that He remains at the center. 
2. Serve from Abundance: When your relationship with God is your foundation, serving others becomes a natural outpouring of His love in you. Let your actions be driven by joy, not duty. 
3. Trust God’s Timing: Like Mary and Martha, we may not always understand why God allows delays or challenges. But we can trust that His plans are always for His glory and our ultimate good. 

Prayer:
Father God, I come before You today, seeking to glorify You in and through all things. Give me a heart that values You above all else. Help me to see You in the proper light, to cherish Your glory more than the approval of others or the pursuit of my own goals. Teach me to love You first, so that my love for others flows from the abundance of my relationship with You. Lord, I surrender my roles as a spouse, parent, friend, and servant to You. Help me to model the gospel of Jesus Christ in all that I do, not out of obligation but out of the joy of knowing You. Thank You for Your grace, Your mercy, and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. May my life today reflect Your love and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.