Show Me Your Glory
I started reading about the story of Moses in Exodus this morning and something that struck me: God showed himself to Moses more and more as he grew in his relationship with Him.
Moses first encountered God in a real way during his burning bush experience. Not only was it a powerful event that kickstarted Moses’ adventure, but it also showed him a glimpse of God’s character. God was holy; completely set apart. Moses had to take off his sandals because he was standing on “holy ground”.
Later in his life, Moses was given the chance to literally see more–the glory of God. After asking God to show him His glory, the Lord sent Moses to a place where he was able to see God. God took him up a mountain, to a special place, and had his “goodness to pass in front of him”. The Lord found favor with Moses, and revealed more of Himself to him.
Moses was able to chronicle two defining moments in his life where he met God–two separate, distinct encounters where God made Himself known to Moses. Like Moses, today I am grateful that as we grow in relationship with God, He will reveal more of Himself to us.
In many ways I feel like I can relate to Moses. I’m not the most eloquent speaker, and I’ve “fled from conflict” many times, but I’m thankful that the One I pursue is bigger than all those things. Through His grace and mercy, He still uses me and reveals more of Himself to me each day.
Isn’t this similar to our lives as parents and leaders? We all have starting points, and we all have our sights set to something in the future. It may be a childhood dream, family vision or a personal goal. Be encouraged today that in the end God will use our shortcomings for His glory. Though it all, we will be more intimately acquainted with the God of Jacob as we grow in faith.
How have you seen God reveal Himself to you over time?
Photo credit: sobca
Michael
January 31, 2011Trust me. I get nervous writing. I get nervous speaking in front of people. I get nervous in general. But God has called me to preach, pastor, and lead. He equips me and makes up for my shortcomings. Which is the way He likes it, because it’s this way He gets all the credit.
Dustin
January 31, 2011“God getting all the credit” Absolutely!
Jason Vana
January 31, 2011I tend to connect more with God, and see more of who He is, either when I’m going through a tough season (I think we all tend to cry out to God more when things are tough) or when I’m taking a step of faith and getting out of my comfort zone. It seems that every time I take a trip to minister in Europe, God shows me a new aspect of Himself.
Dustin
January 31, 2011Love that, its refreshing to know that God (who is bigger than we can imagine) will reveal more of Himself to us.
Moe
January 31, 2011Often times, we want to get close to God for his benefits (his blessings). But I am reminded that when Israel reached the promised land and they were dividing land to each tribe, the one who looked like it was getting short handed were the Levites. They got no land. Oh, but they got more than that. They got God! Their inheritance was to spend time with God in His service.
I want God Dustin. I’m not here for the land (though it’s kind of cool he has one for me), I’m not here for the manna (though it’s cool that I have access to it). I’m here for God. I want all of Him. The closer I get to Him, the more I see of Him. What a blessing it is.
Dustin
January 31, 2011Oh definitely! I’ll be honest, I’ve thought that many times: “if I do this, God will do this…”. So often it can be conditional with me, and that is wrong. As I my faith grows, so does my understanding of His character. And in the end, you’re right–what really matters is God. I kinda picture heaven like that- I mean what else will we want? We’ll get to enjoy Him for all eternity.
Donald Borsch Jr
January 31, 2011Moe,
You want “God Dustin”? I’ve never heard of that one. Is that some old school Babylonian god or something?
Dustin
January 31, 2011Ha.
Donald Borsch Jr
January 31, 2011Come on, Dustin. That was a little funny. Admit it.
Dustin
February 1, 2011No, okay.. you’re right. It was funny. :)
bill (cycleguy)
January 31, 2011I want to agree with Moe on this one Dustin. Too many people want or follow God for what He can give them or what He can do for them. I don’t want to be guilty of that. i want God’s glory to be revealed in and through me for His renown. Good thoughts today.
Dustin
January 31, 2011You’re right-isn’t that what it all boils down to? His name, fame, and renown. Thanks, Bill.
kristinherdy
January 31, 2011Yes. Everytime I feel like I couldn’t learn any more, that I’ve grown from his last lesson or teaching or revelation, God does something that says “but wait, there’s more.” I’m awed by the depth and bigness of God.
Dustin
January 31, 2011Kristin, isn’t that a good feeling? “…But what, there’s more!”
Ben
January 31, 2011For me it’s when my daughter(s) repeat something I’ve taught them, and it’s as if God’s confirming that I (or we) are going in the right direction with our children.
Dustin
January 31, 2011Cool! Thanks for sharing that, Ben.
Jim F
January 31, 2011There are many things I could write here but I will focus on the fact that I learn so much each week as prepare messages to share. God works in messages I have done before and in new ones I prepare. I see Him constantly through His Word and what he teaches me and I want people to see God and not me as I share it.
Good Thoughts Dustin!
Dustin
January 31, 2011Thanks, Jim for sharing. I appreciate that you want to see God glorified as you teach. While I’m not a pastor/preacher I can see that in any teaching-format it can be difficult to remember the “it’s really all about God, not about me” mindset.
seekingpastor
January 31, 2011It seems that He has revealed himself to me in ways that I could comprehend at those particular times. My understading is better than when I was a child, so He has revealed Himself to me in more abstract way recently than He used to.
Dustin
January 31, 2011thanks, matt – i appreciate your input and readership!
Justin
January 31, 2011Great post, Dustin. God reveals himself to me when I enter the relationship. If I live in a way that is outside of him and his love for me – I miss out. I intentionally have to enter the relationship through the reading of his word, prayer, fasting, enjoying his creation, encouraging others.
Dustin
January 31, 2011thanks man. I’m thankful that we do serve a God reveals Himself in all those things!
Isn’t it funny how you’ll have an “Aha!” moment… and be like, “God, thanks that that” even when you may have done the the same thing before (fasting, beautiful sunset, etc). Those are cool times!
Jon Malstrom
January 31, 2011I’ve seen God reveal Himself to me most often when I am willing to give up control. When I can say, “OK, God. This is where I’m at, this is what you have for me now, so I choose to embrace the moment” then God moves and reveals more of His plan. When I fight Him, feel sorry for myself, or try to manipulate the situation, it drives me further away from that closeness with Him.
Great post!
Dustin
January 31, 2011Isn’t that the case sometimes? I’m thankful that we have a God who most certainly meets us where we’re at!
Michelle
January 31, 2011I think too, (I didn’t read all the comments left so maybe this was already discussed) that as we grow in Christ and are able to see more of God, He also holds us more accountable. Look what happened to Moses. He was given more responsibility and he blew it – God didn’t allow him to see the Promised land because of his disrespect. I believe Moses didn’t do exactly as God had asked and maybe had a pride issue…I can’t remember now. I haven’t read that story in a while! But I know when God asked him to do something, he changed it up and lost out on God’s blessing because of it.
Dustin
January 31, 2011thanks for your thoughts, michelle!
HarryClayman
January 31, 2011Dustin,
God has made Himself visible to me in many ways, not the least of which is His wonderful creation. I have seen His forgiveness for unforgivable sins through my wife’s mercy. I have seen His unconditional love through the love my kids show me when I have not been the nicest person. I have seen His care for the poor and hungry through an atheist who gave food to a homeless man.
But mostly, He revealed Himself to me through my own addictions and bipolar disorder. He brought me to a sober, clean-thinking individual who recognizes the ultimate Healer and has become passionate about sharing Him with others.
Without Him, I would be a drunken maniac with an uncontrollable temper. With Him, I know peace.
Thank you.
Dustin
January 31, 2011Harry, first off thank you so much for opening up and sharing part of your story with us. I am thankful to hear that God has taken hold of your heart, and you have experienced the relentless, transforming grace that only He gives. I appreciate you stopping by and sharing!
Donald Borsch Jr
January 31, 2011>>How have you seen God reveal Himself to you over time?
Dustin. There simply are not enough hours in this day to tell you all that.
I will say that I believe I have seen the full revelation of our father, and now it comes to me in bits and pieces, like some kind of spiritual amnesia. I reckon He really doesn’t want to fry my brain.
I also think we all have seen His full revelation. But being on this side of Heaven is a damper.
Dustin
January 31, 2011Enough hours to describe the greatness/goodness/lovingkindness of our God? You’re right, my friend. That would take foorreeevvveerrrr!
Donald Borsch Jr
January 31, 2011Thankfully my forever started in August of 1989, so it’s not like I don’t have the time.
Perhaps we might run into one another in New Jerusalem, (you know, like the Scriptures describe), and we can swap stories over nachos and buffalo wings? I’m sure you have some good ones!
Dustin
February 1, 2011As long as there is blue cheese dipping sauce, I’m in! (which I’m sure there will be, no brainer)
Donald Borsch Jr
February 1, 2011Duh! We all know, (at least those of us closest to GOD, that is), that blue cheese dipping sauce is of the devil.
Basic Theology 101 right there.
Dustin
February 1, 2011Okay okay… ranch will do. :)
Donald Borsch Jr
February 1, 2011Good. Now you can enter Heaven. (Phew! That was a close call!) LOL!
Jay Cookingham
January 31, 2011It’s been over 40 years of my journey with Him and I find Him in so many new ways. He reveals Himself daily in His Word of course but also in the lives of my family and in circumstances I rather not be in. I’m just glad He chooses to reveal Himself to me!
Dustin
January 31, 201140 years-wow! what a testimony!
jay sauser
January 31, 2011I see more and more of Him through my wife each year that we are married. It will only be 3 in April. Can’t wait to see all that I will when we’ve been married 50 or so
Dustin
January 31, 2011jay, I’m with you there… I promise you, my wife is a gift from God!
Tom Raines
January 31, 2011Great Post Dustin! How awesome to see the progression. To think the joy and God we know today is only going to get better and better. I look to Him revealing more and more and almost contain my anticipation! Thanks!
Dustin
February 1, 2011That is a great picture, Tom. To hardly contain yourself in anticipation of Him revealing more and more… thanks for sharing that!
Alex Humphrey
February 1, 2011In reading this, I wonder how often Moses felt abandoned by God. He was in the desert a long time before God showed up to him in the burning bush.
And with as ungrateful as the Jews were, I wonder if Moses ever questioned God in his life while leading them in the desert.
It is reassuring to remember who God is and what He has done in the past. He does reveal Himself more and more as we grow into him. The points between can be a big pain, though. lol
Dustin
February 1, 2011Alex, so right. Very reassuring!!
jenn
February 1, 2011There have been so many times in my life that God has revealed Himself to me, in large and small ways. But the one that comes to mind first is simply His presence in the most difficult time in my life.
Long story short, after 5 years of marriage my husband went to prison and I lost pretty much everything because I couldn’t pay the bills alone. (Oh, and I was 5 months pregnant at the time.) So in the midst of losing my husband, my marriage (divorced 2 years later), all sense of security, my house, my car, some of my friends, etc, I felt God’s presence so strongly. I wasn’t even in a place where I could really pray at first, but I knew God was right there through all of it.
It’s hard to explain I think. For months I just went through the motions. I didn’t think about anything too deep, including God. (I didn’t turn away from Him, but praying would mean thinking about my situation and I couldn’t do that at first. The only way for me to get out of bed and go to work each day was to not think.) But even though I wasn’t praying or seeking God, there wasn’t a moment that I didn’t feel His presence with me. Now I stress about things that are much smaller and I try to remind myself that if God got me through all of that, I can trust Him with anything.
Okay, sorry for babbling. I guess it was harder for me to explain than I thought it would be. I hope it makes some sense at least. :)
Dustin
February 2, 2011jenn, thanks for sharing that. that must have been a difficult time of faith for you and your daughter. it is awesome to hear that, even in those hard circumstances, you were able to still see God’s presence. and now, after that season has passed, you can boldly say, “i’ll trust God with anything.” wow!
Tony Alicea
February 2, 2011Dude, I love your thoughts on this. God has definitely revealed Himself to me over and over again. Each time is more incredible than the last.
I think of the scene in Revelation 4 where they continually fall down and just say “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power…”
He continues to reveal Himself and every time they fall down and say the same thing again and again.
Dustin
February 2, 2011What a great picture. Thanks for sharing that!
That is the awesome thing about our God – we’ll never run out of new revelations. :)
Brandon
February 4, 2011Great post! Although we don’t physically see God, He is all around us…God has worked in so many ways! For me, God has worked through me to do many great things to amplify His kingdom! It is awesome how God chooses sinner like us to be used for great things!
Dustin
February 7, 2011Isn’t that a cool thing? Thanks for sharing, Brandon!