Don’t Touch the Glory

One of the last lessons my mom taught me was this: “Annie, don’t touch the glory.”

Don’t touch the glory that is Gods alone.

She was planning a garden club meeting and had secured a prime venue – one that was highly coveted in Jacksonville. She admitted she was pretty enamored with herself until everything dismantled. She had missed an important detail and the event was changed to a less than special place. She took all the burden upon her shoulders and blame took over.

She kept saying, “Annie, I touched the glory.”

Have you ever been there?

Have you ever boasted about your accolades? Shouted out your prestigious academic achievements? Posted your newest and best on social media? Have you taken the credit, the full credit, for something you have done?

I sure have.

I have touched the glory many times when the glory was not mine to touch.

Yesterday, while driving home from our families New Year’s getaway, we listened to an NPR podcast how NBA players feel entitled to rise above the call of the referees. To date, they have been thrown out of more games in the history of the NBA. Many of the players are the high profile ones.

Hearing this made me sad and aware that while they feel entitled to be above authority – sometimes, I do, too.

I take credit where God alone has given me everything I need. He gave me my family, my gifts, my intelligence, my passions, my … everything.

Paul David Tripp says this, “Everything that was created was made by God and for God. All the glories of the created world were designed to point to his glory. That includes you and me. We were not made to live independent, self-directed lives. We were not meant to exist according to our own little self– oriented plans, living for our own moments of glory. Here’s the bottom line. The Christian life, the church, our faith are not about us, they’re about him-his plan, his kingdom, his glory.”

Tripp encourages us to start the new year by admitting “there is nothing less natural for us to live for the glory of another. This admission is the doorway not to despair, but to help. God knew that in your sin you would never live this way, so he sent his son to live the life you couldn’t, to die on your behalf, and to rise again, conquering sin and death. He did this so you would not only be forgiven of your allegiance to your own glory, but have every grace you need to live for his.“ (New Morning Mercies, A Daily Gospel Devotional)

Powerful words for the New Year.

Powerful words I need to hear as I step into a new phase of ThouArtExalted.

Powerful words we all need to hear on a day to day level.

Mom was right. Don’t touch the glory. Not in garden club or ministry or basketball. It’s not yours to touch.

We are not entitled. We are empowered by a living, loving Savior who has given us all the grace we need to live for Him.

And if you do touch it, there is always grace.

Thank you, Mom. I pray I am always reminded of your thoughtful and inspired messages.

1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, … whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.“

Amen.

5 Comments
  • Beth Pulignano
    Posted at 15:42h, 06 January Reply

    This is wonderful! Thanks so much!! Also I’m so sorry about your sweet mama! You all have been in my prayers!

  • Dudley Grace
    Posted at 18:57h, 06 January Reply

    Oh!!! Annie, thank you for the glory of God message from both you and your Mom. I need to hear these words over and over again, and plant them deep in my heart and soul that my actions will reflect his glory and not my own. Your beautiful message is such a tribute to your Mom and one that continues to spread His glory in so many lives, especially mine. My deepest love and thanks.

  • Wren Robbins
    Posted at 21:33h, 06 January Reply

    This is so good. Thank you for this word, Annie!

  • Annette Brinson
    Posted at 20:59h, 08 January Reply

    Annie, You and your precious family are in my thoughts and prayers.
    Thank you for sharing your mother’s wisdom and the lesson you learned from her.. This was so very meaningful to me today.

  • melanie Glenn
    Posted at 13:36h, 23 January Reply

    ohhhhhh ! This was a strong golden nugget of a message !! Also, a friend gave me New Morning Mercies ! It is wonderful .
    thank you , Annie
    Hugs to ya
    Melanie

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