Against A Brick Wall

 

It’s debatable whether or not my life is really for God’s glory when I’m glorying in it myself, when I am comfortable, when my circumstances are pleasant, when I’m rather enjoying it.  I certainly hope in those times it is for His glory because I was made to glorify Him.  Still, am I praising Him or praising Him for what He gives?  Now when my circumstances are not so pleasant, when I’m not so comfortable, when I find myself in a trial, when I’m not praising Him for things, do I praise Him then?

When I find myself in a trial not of my choosing (and let’s face it- I wouldn’t choose any of them) praise is not my first response.  My first response is shock, ‘Can this really be happening to me?’.  My second response is ‘How can I get out of this?’.  I need a miracle or a solution, preferably by noon tomorrow.    Eventually I hit a brick wall where I realize this is indeed happening to me and the only way out of this trial is to go through it.  Sometimes when I hit a brick wall I turn around and start swimming in the other direction.  I go back to my questions ‘Can this really be happening to me?’ and ‘How can I get out of this?’ And there I am, swimming around in circular thinking.   

 

When I get tired of swimming in circles and the Spirit throws me a lifeline, I remember what I was made for.  I was not made for the road I was traveling on before I hit the brick wall.  I was not made for my plans for my life or even for my desires.  I was made for praise.  I can praise God anywhere, anytime.  I can praise on any road, in any pool, up against a brick wall.  

I have a lot of ideas about how my life can be used for God’s glory, I have a lot of ideas about what I think would bring Him praise.  God can accomplish anything He chooses to in, through, with, and for my life.  God can accomplish anything He chooses to do in, through, with, and for the lives of others (despite my cooperation or lack thereof).  But there is one thing God chooses not to do and that is – will me to praise Him.  Indeed God wills for me to praise but His will is that the praise is something I choose.  Sometimes I travel nicely down this road of life,  sometimes I hit a brick wall.  God’s will for me never changes.  God’s will is that I praise Him.  By His grace may I willingly bring praise.

“that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.  O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever.”  Psalm 30:12 (ESV)