To God Be the Glory

Devo #3

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17 ESV)

I’ll admit something that I’m a little ashamed of: when I am at work, I sometimes find myself getting distracted. I have a window in my office that looks out onto the road outside and I catch myself looking out to the world outside, my mind drifting. I’ve always been this way. When I was a kid, I daydreamed often… I even once had a teacher move me away from a window because she caught me looking out and not listening to the lessons one too many times. It has never been intentional, it’s just how my mind works. It tends to just wander away from me, like a cloud drifting with the wind.

I recognize, however, that this isn’t the best way to glorify God in my daily routines and my work. Like this verse says, we’re called in each word and deed, to do it all in the name of the Lord, and to glorify Him in each and every movement of our days. So, letting my mind wander and neglecting my work (or gluing my eyes to my phone and neglecting the people in my life) isn’t how I can best glorify Him, and give thanks to him for each of his blessings.

God blessed me with a job, with my family and friends, and for each and every breath that I inhale and exhale. Every moment is a gift to be thankful for, and should be treated as such.

So, on my desk next to my computer monitor, I have a small frame which says “To God be the Glory.” It’s a simple and powerful reminder of how I want to manage my days: with intentional work for otherwise idle hands and a thankful heart.