“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
September is my birthday month. There may be others who share my birth date, down to the same time and may have even measured the same size as I did on September 20, 1972. There may be someone with my same eye and hair color. (Although I wasn’t born with the blue I have in my hair today!) My point is that even though I may share some, and perhaps many, characteristics with someone else, I am one of one. Just as you are. There is no other person created exactly like me or you.
1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us to do all that we do for God’s glory, including what we eat and drink. Paul simply wants to get across the point that our purpose in life is to bring God glory, but he doesn’t spell out exactly what to eat, drink, or do. That’s where our unique makeup comes in. God created us with unique tastes and interests. He created us with unique personalities and dispositions. Psalm 139:13-14 tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. He didn’t make us to copy others but to live fully as ourselves.
Look around at friends and family. I imagine you have an artistic friend who expresses herself through music or sewing or painting. Someone else might be the one who is always offering to take a meal to someone who just got home from the hospital or has a newborn. Someone else might find her peace when she’s walking in nature. Trying to do what others do can feel forced, but embracing your God-given interests will feel natural and worshipful.
Our fitness habits can be an act of worship as well. Recall that 1 Corinthians 10:31 specifically mentions how we eat and drink. Being thankful for our food and enjoying those things that nourish and energize us is a way to glorify God. We can go outside and move and celebrate the breath in our lungs and the nature around us. There have been many times that I’ve hurried to my computer as soon as I arrived home from a run or bike ride to write down inspiration the Lord had given me for my next devotional. That simple act of exercise resulted in a devotional that brought glory to God.
Worship doesn’t need to be complicated. We can bring glory to God through our everyday, ordinary habits. God made you you for a reason and with intention. Who you are and what you do is significant. Your joy of cooking can make someone feel cared for. Your sense of humor can bring a smile to someone’s face. Your active lifestyle can provide motivation for someone else to get up and get going.
Action Step
Consider how God uniquely created you. What brings you joy and energizes you? How might these things become acts of worship? Choose one activity this week to do with God and for His glory.
You are uniquely and wonderfully made. Embrace your age and stage of life.
