Welcome to Joni and Friends. I’m Joni Eareckson Tada.
Not long ago, while I was traveling back east, I was invited to a friend’s home for dinner. And I tell you, the moment I wheeled through the front door, I sensed something—something was different. I don’t know any other way to say this other than I sensed the glory of God was very present, very real in that home. Now, my impression was not shaped by a cross hanging on the wall, or Christian plaques on a side table or cross-stitched verses framed and hanging the living room wall. True, there were a few of those things around, and even inspirational music playing in the other room, but these did not make me think the glory of God resided there. It wasn’t a heebie-jeebies feeling; it wasn’t because of any super spiritual instincts. It was simply a sense of peace and order. Joy seemed to hang in the air and I just felt that this was a place that was safe and secure.
You could see it in the faces of the children. Although the kids were normal, active youngsters, everyone’s activity seemed to dovetail. We all actually sat down for dinner. Everybody waited until grace was said over the meal. The children asked to be excused. I know; I know; I’m sure that not hours after I left, someone probably argued about something—I mean, this is a real family! But overall, I left that home refreshed. It was a place where God was glorified.
Now what do I mean by that? Well, I mean that God’s qualities, His characteristics were on display. There was respect and love, compassion, mercy, and especially peace. When we’re with certain people through whom love shines or mercy is exhibited; when we are with people who have a peaceful nature, we say that that person is filled with God’s glory. When we are in a home where grace and mercy and orderliness and prayer are a daily part of the routine, we say that that home is filled with God’s glory. When our congregation is persevering through problems or is holding fast to truth despite things crumbling around them, we say that that church is filled with God’s glory.
It doesn’t take super spiritual instincts to detect this. You know when you’re around someone or when you are in someone’s home or even a group of Christians that are showing forth God’s glory. You know it because you come away refreshed. You come away strengthened and built up. You come away encouraged. After all, you have encountered something wonderful about God. You were near; you were close to his glory. His attributes were revealed and that touched you like nothing else.
And here’s the really awesome thing; here’s the neat part: You and I can glorify God every time we reveal His attributes during the course of a day through the decisions we make, how we relate to people, the way we communicate on the phone, how we respond to a frustrating situation. His glory isn’t reserved for a temple or for some beautiful vista. No, it can shine when we’re counseling a bewildered coworker; it can glow when we’re lying in a hospital bed or when we’re balancing two crying babies in the church nursery. His glory shines when we bless someone hurting with a Scripture; it reveals God’s compassion. His glory shines when we pronounce a blessing for a job well done; that reveals God’s encouragement. Whenever those around us see God’s character displayed in our attitude or responses, we are glorifying our Savior. Can you believe you get a chance to do that today?! Far from being some ethereal concept out of a theology textbook, glory is as close and as real as your smile on a dark day and your kind word in an anxious hour. That’s something to remember on any day or hour.
© Joni and Friends, 2013
Compliments of Joni and Friends
PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376