John 17:4 “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.”

How do we glorify God? By doing what He has created and sent us to do. In Charismatic circles we think of glorifying God by singing His praises, which is true enough, but that doesn’t mean much if we aren’t doing what He wants us to do. As Jesus Himself said, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) We are created for fellowship with God, but it’s hard to get along with someone who won’t really listen to you. Here Jesus is saying that His absolute obedience to His Father gave God glory, and our obedience does the same. The salvation formula that Paul gave us, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved,” (Romans 10:9) falls apart if we don’t demonstrate Jesus’ Lordship by doing what He says. And that includes persistence. After all, Jesus says here, “completing,” not just “taking a stab at.” We don’t know God’s tasks for us as perfectly as Jesus did, but we are to be faithful in all that we do know, not making excuses.

This feels very timely for me, because today I have the first class of my last semester of teaching in the nursing school where I have taught for the past 42 years. I can’t say, “This is the last time. Chuck it.” My performance to this point certainly hasn’t been perfect, but at least I’ve hung in there. I must not let the sense of melancholy that so easily comes over me at this point dull the enthusiasm and vigor with which I teach. These students deserve as good as I’ve given to all that came before them. It is in following through that I give glory to God. I am reminded of the inscription on my father’s gravestone: “To do the will of Him who sent me.” (John 4:34) I have the heritage of being raised by someone who was focused on obedience to God, and I can do no less. My ultimate goal is to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” It is only by His grace and power that can happen, but that is my goal.

Father, thank You for the heritage of generations of people who served You wholeheartedly. May I indeed do no less, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!