“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”- Colossians 3:23
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”- 1 Corinthians 10:31
Mark Batterson concludes Chapter 12 of All In with the comment that, as a parent, the word whatever is not one of his favorite words. It has a dismissive aspect with disrespectful overtones. However, when whatever is used in a submissive way, its a statement of absolute surrender.
Pastor Batterson states that there are two whatever passages in Scripture, both beginning with the same inclusive phrase: whatever you do. Everything we do should be to the glory of God. The author adds:
“SDG (Soli Deo Gloria) is the why behind every what. Or maybe I should say it’s the why behind every whatever.”
That includes suffering. While that certainly doesn’t mean that we are to seek out suffering, it does mean that we see suffering for what it is- an opportunity to glorify God. During times of adversity, Pastor Batterson utilizes certain Bible verses he calls fallback positions. When all else fails, he falls back on the things about God he knows to be true, and they hold him up.
Today’s question: What opportunities have you had to glorify God during your desert, transformational journey? Please share.
Coming Tuesday: the new Short Meditation, “Doubtstorms”
Tomorrow’s blog: “Bearing fruit”
