“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” -Jude 24-25

Jesus teaches us that the biggest impact is in the deep places, not the wide places. In Jesus’ day in the Roman Empire, it was all about glory. This was a cooler word for fame. Glory encompassed more than just being well-known, it meant that you defeated some barbarian army, or built a monumental city. They believed that if they could do something so awesome with their lives that they would sort of live forever in the memory of their achievements. In Jesus’ day, the prevailing secular view was you can live eternally by gaining glory for yourself. Become famous, become a hero, or become a celebrity and you will always be remembered. Though, in a way, you’re dead, in another way you’re alive because people will talk about you forever.

PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for teaching us that we don’t have to achieve glory to matter. Help us to glorify you and only you.

REFLECTION: Is there a time in your life when you have received glory?