Glory in the hard slog

‘Now my heart is troubled – and what shall I say? Shall I say, “Father, do not let this hour come upon me”? But that is why I came – so that I might go through this hour of suffering. Father, bring glory to your name!’

Then a voice spoke from heaven, ‘I have brought glory to it, and I will do so again’.

The crowd standing there heard the voice, and some of them said it was thunder, while others said, ‘An angel spoke to him!’      (verses 27-29)

Read John 12:27-36

The Olympic swimmer, the State of Origin footballer, the champion ice-skater are all aiming for glory: the glory of victory. The hours of training and preparation – all the hard slog – are a necessary prelude, but a prelude only. The glory is all in the winning.

Not so for Jesus. The glory was certainly there in his enthronement on the cross and in his resurrection victory. But the glory was also there in the hard slog as he spent his days healing, preaching and teaching. Jesus was bringing glory to the Father as he lived in obedience to his Father’s will.

Since, by our baptism, we share in Jesus’ resurrection victory, we’re assured of future glory. But there’s also glory in our lives right now – glory in the hard slog as we too bring honour and glory to God by living day by day in obedience to him.

Heavenly Father, give me your Spirit to keep me faithful in living out my role in life where you have placed me. May everything I do bring honour and glory to you. Amen.

by Grace Simpson, in ‘New Strength for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 1998)

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