An international friend with a deep spiritual hunger once asked me, “What do you think is the meaning of life? I’ve been asking people this question, and I want to know what you think.” I had an answer for her. “The Bible teaches us that we are here to glorify God. Our purpose is not about us at all; it’s about glorifying God who made us and loves us.” She paused for a moment and replied in a quieter, more pondering tone, “This is the first time I’ve heard this.”
Such insight was not mine, of course, rather I’d happened upon this defining scripture passage, hiding in plain view, a few years prior: “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth — everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”1 We are the only creatures lovingly forged in God’s image (our priceless worth) and we are created for His glory (our eternal purpose). Then what does this purpose — “to glorify God” — look like? It is the overflow of a heart liberated by His love and grace. We glorify God when we engage with Him in our prayers, praise him with our songs, and exalt Him in our testimonies. Moreover, God is glorified when His proactive love for us overflows through us in practical ways to others, or in other words, as we “present [our] bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is [our] spiritual worship.”2
Yet I think we also glorify God in ways unbeknownst to us. For when we are born of the Spirit through faith in the Son, all of Heaven erupts in praise to the glory of God. In the words of Jesus, “There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”3 (Surely the powers of Hell seethe in defeat — another soul saved, another captive freed, another son finding his meaning, another daughter finding her purpose.) Then comes the ripple effect — glory bursting forth into more glory — for as we “let [our] light shine before others, they see [our] good works and give glory to [our] Father who is in heaven.”4 Some of this we see; much of this we don’t, not yet anyway. For now, rejoice in this: God has given us meaning and purpose, for which and through which we give Him glory.
“Therefore . . . whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.”5
Father, we live and breathe for Your glory; there is no higher honor. May we embrace Your purpose for us, glorifying You in our words and deeds, the overflow of liberated hearts. In Christ we pray. Amen.
1 Isaiah 43:6-7 NIV, emphasis added
2 Romans 12:1 ESV
3 Luke 15:10 NIV
4 Matthew 5:16 NIV, emphasis added
5 1 Corinthians 10:31 NASB
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Paul Nordman—Author 