Encouraging Awe

“But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life.” Jude 1: 20-21

My Abba,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to celebrate eternal life with other believers. What a glorious journey it is to walk with them along this road to heaven, led by your Spirit. I want to build up my brothers and sisters in Christ along the way. Make me sensitive to your Spirit as you show me how to make the most of opportunities to invest in others.

I know I will make a mess of this in my own strength. I can spread myself too thin, enable the poor choices of others, and hinder their growth. I will tear down instead of building up. Please make me aware of the times I desire to build, but am demolishing instead. I want to be a useful tool in your hand, so I have the privilege of participating in the glorious kingdom you are building.

I know you have created each of us to glorify you. I love the definition in the dictionary I found:

Glorify - To make clearer the notable achievements and impressive beauty

 I take great delight in making clearer to others your “notable achievements and impressive beauty.” In the presence of your beauty, I am overwhelmed with joy! I want to participate with you, as you draw others into that joy.

I want to be an eager child devoted to sharing your perfect beauty with others. Please polish this one little mirror so that I may reflect, in some way, who you are, and the pleasure of knowing you.

I love you,

Mollie

My child,

You are never satisfied playing around with the trivial, lifeless things in your world. But to the extent you enter into glorifying me, you experience the profound joy for which you were created. What an extraordinary privilege it is to call the attention of those around you to my beauty!

Think of the times you have been in awe of a magnificent sunset. Do you encourage those with you to admire your tiny silhouette on the horizon or the grass at your feet? Or do you point them to the splendor of the sky?

Why would you want to waste your time calling attention to anything else? The joy of glorifying me is never contingent on your circumstances. Everything else can be stripped from you. But this is your permanent pleasure!

I can make my glory the cry of your heart, if you are willing.

As you grow, you will increasingly experience the inexhaustible pleasures of my presence! Fix your gaze on my glory and you will encourage others to do the same!

I love you,

Abba