Maneuvers - No. 34
A Life Filled
With Glory
When you think of the word “glory,” what comes to mind, friend?
That’s a hard question, isn’t it? After all, glory seems like such an intangible concept, something you really only hear about in church services or read about in Scripture.
And sometimes, because we live in a world that is so focused on what is material, we can overspiritualize the idea of glory. It can quickly become something distant, almost unreal to us.
But glory is very real, friend. It can be lived and touched and felt and seen. The problem is, we don’t fully understand it… yet.
We can, though. And we will one day when we stare at God’s fully revealed glory, when our renewed spirits and bodies can see all of who he is.
But we can catch a glimpse here on earth, too. We can know God’s glory—in the world around us, in our daily lives, in our very own hearts and bodies.
Do you want to know how? Do you long to walk closely with Holy Spirit, enjoying sweet fellowship, seeing the world from his eyes, and living in his love?
We do, too. And that’s why we’re inviting you to join us today as we lean in to hear Holy Spirit’s words in this week’s message. He has something unique for each one of us.
So come… Let’s listen.
01.
The Message
“You want to talk about glory? You want to talk about what it is and how you receive it and how I experience it through my love for you? Do you want to know why it is beautiful? Do you want to know why I love it and why I desire it? Do you want to know why I gave it—and why I give it—to you?
“Let me start here: The earth is full of my glory because I am in all things. In the water and the trees, the air and the sky. The animals and the birds. The soil and the clouds. The sun and the stars. All that I have made resounds with my glory. All birdsong. All wind rushing through branches. All ocean waves in the middle of the deepest sea. All gardens. All flowers. All rocks and paths. All landscapes—desert places and mountains and valleys. Glory fills my home.
“But this is what you must know: the Son is who brings my glory to you. My Son is who speaks it and feels it, who shows it and lives it out. My Son is who gives it so you may be it.
“Be my glory, son, daughter. I give you my glory so you may live.
“In the deepest sorrow, you can feel it. In the highest joys, you can express it. You are my glory as you let the Son live in you. So live, live, live! Live free of lies and pride and proving. Live free of envy and striving and comparing. Live free of malice and contempt and evil. Live free of resentment and unforgiveness. Live free of anger that separates you from loving people. Live free of ideas that limit your mind and heart and dreams. Live free, free, free.
“Live with compassion. Live with joy. Live with hope. Live with abundant capacity to give of yourself—all that I am in you. Let all who see you and hear you and feel you—as you speak and think and work and sleep and eat—see me and feel me and know me. When you receive me you are filled with my glory. And my glory rests on you and works through you—and all who experience it know me and know my name.
“You, my child, are my glory on earth. So abide and live. Be free and live. Cast aside all that makes you falter and be in my love. All glory. The food of heaven.”
02.
Listen
What sentence or paragraph impacted you the most this week, friend? How did it stir your heart? Let’s write out our response in the form of a prayer in our journals.
03.
Think
“Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?’” (John 11:40, ESV).
1. When was the last time you experienced God’s glory in a deep and personal way? What was that like?
2. What lies or distractions hinder you from experiencing that glory from day to day?
3. Take a moment and dream with Holy Spirit. Invite him to guide your imagination as you picture your life fully embracing and expressing Jesus’ glory. What does that look like for you? What do your relationships look like when full of glory? Your routine? Your fellowship with God?
04.
Trust
Where do you experience God’s glory, friend? Do you ever feel like you have to be having your quiet time, worshipping in church, or attending Bible study to enjoy his glory?
If we’re being honest, many of us feel that way at times. After all, it’s hard to describe what God’s glory is let alone fully understand how we experience it.
But God provided a way to clear up that confusion. The best expression we have of God’s glory walked on earth about 2,000 years ago—Jesus.
Colossians 1 (ESV) tells us that Jesus is “the image of the invisible God” (v. 15) and that “God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him” (v. 19). The author of Hebrews tells us the same thing: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (Hebrews 1:3, ESV).
Could it be that Jesus came to dispel the lies we believe about God’s glory? To show us that it’s not some far-off, intangible light or feeling? That it’s substantial and real—as real as the physical world around us?
But how do we walk in that glory? The answer doesn’t have to be complicated, friend. We simply have to open our hearts and receive. When we receive from Jesus, tear down our defenses with him, and abide in him, his glory rests on us. And others see it, too.
So let’s ask ourselves… What preconceived notions do we have about Jesus’ glory that keep us from recognizing it and experiencing it in our daily lives? What lies are we believing about ourselves that keep us from fully embracing that glory, without shame or fear?
As we ponder these questions, let’s pull out our journals and write out our answers.
And now, will you wait here with us for a few minutes? Breathing… resting… feeling the rise and fall of your shoulders… becoming aware of Jesus’ presence around you.
In this place of stillness with God, let’s ask Holy Spirit to speak to us, to reveal anything that’s blocking us from receiving from Jesus. You may not hear the full answer right now, and that’s okay. As you keep opening your heart to receive from him, Holy Spirit will be faithful to reveal truth to you.
Now, with humble and grateful hearts, let’s pray…
05.
Pray
Father, thank you for revealing your glory through Jesus, the perfect expression of who you are. And thank you for letting me know you through Jesus, for letting me experience your glory by simply receiving from you.
Forgive me for pulling back from you out of fear or anger or desires for things that aren’t good for me. Draw me closer, purify my heart, and help me be vulnerable with you so that I can receive everything you want to give me. Help me hear everything you want to say to me. I’m ready to receive.
And as I receive, fill me with your glory so that I can love others like you. I want your compassion, your kindness, your love, your goodness to flow out of me and impact others. But I can’t do it without you. I need you. So come… come and fill me.
I love you, Lord. You’re my everything.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Waving the banner with you,
