Have you ever received something that was less than the quality you were expecting?

Maybe it was a food item that looked absolutely delicious in an advertisement, but when you received your order, the actual item didn’t appear nearly as appetizing as the picture. Or perhaps it was an article of clothing that looked amazing… until you put it on. I’ve had clothing that I’ve reluctantly hung back up, deciding the mannequin could keep it because it looked much better on her than it did on me. Then there are those items that look like a great idea for your household or as a gift, but you find it’s made out of cheap plastic. For example, my mom recently bought a new kitchen faucet. It’s stylish with a nice metal finish, but once it was installed, she realized it was plastic.

Life is full of these kinds of disappointments. It’s human nature to cut corners and put up a façade, hiding the truth. No wonder so many people are cynical. This outlook colors our reality and even our vocabulary. Consider the definition of the word glorify, for instance. It can refer to praising God, but it is also used to describe or make someone or something seem more admirable, glamourous, or special than it actually is.

A Christmas tree is a glorified pine tree. It’s still a pine tree, just with a bunch of shiny stuff and lights on it. The term glorify is also used to demean others or their property. Their new pool was just a glorified bath tub. Oh, how far has this word wandered from its biblical meaning!

In truth, glory is something that is seen and experienced. The root of both the Hebrew and Greek word for glory carries a meaning of weight. It’s not a bad, overwhelming weight, but a good weight, as in valuable. HELPS Word Studies describes it as:
– To ascribe weight by recognizing real substance (value).
– Valuing Him for who He really is.
– Personally acknowledges God in His true character (essence).

To behold God’s glory is to see and experience the weight and value of who God truly is. It is a revealing of His worth. To glorify God is not to throw shiny baubles and lights upon His name, but to reveal and illuminate His true character and worth.

Christ came to earth to glorify God. He revealed more clearly who God is, that we might know Him. God glorified Christ, revealing His divine nature and power. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus and God as He teaches us all things and reveals truths to us throughout our lives. In the Trinity, there is no cutting corners or cheap tricks. Our God is lavish in His love and generous beyond understanding. He is the real deal.

God instituted a beautiful illustration of Jesus being the bread of life. When we think of bread, we imagine a big, fluffy loaf of bread. But that’s not the picture Jesus was bringing to His listeners’ minds in His day. He is unleavened bread; bread without yeast. Unleavened bread looks more like a large saltine cracker than a loaf of sandwich bread. Here is what He’s portraying: what you see is what you get. Christ is not puffed up with pride or pretends to be more than what He is. Squeeze a loaf of sandwich bread and you’ll find that there’s not much substance to it. It’s a lot of air. Not so with Christ. He is humble and portrays the truth, as it is. No pretending. No false advertisements. Nothing cheap.

Glory does not have to be an abstract or cynical concept. In fact, it is supposed to be an experience. Use your life to glorify God. Share your experiences and reveal the weight of who He is to those around you. This is what glorifying God really means. Bringing glory to God is not bringing decorated words to cover Him with, but exposing His character. Bring glory to God by being His children, imitating His character. In a world of disappointments, point to the only one who truly satisfies.

Scriptures to consider this week:
Exodus 33:18-34:10
Isaiah 66:18-21
John 17:1-10, 20-26
2 Corinthians 3:7-18
Psalm 29