The Main Thing
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” –1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
When the Crystal Palace Exhibition opened in 1851, people flocked to London’s Hyde Park to behold its many inventions. One of the greatest marvels back then was steam. On display were steam plows, locomotives, looms, organs—even a steam cannon. Of all the great exhibits that year, the first prize winner was a steam invention with an amazing 7000 moving parts. When it was turned on, it came alive with pulleys, whistles, bells, and gears. It made a lot of noise, but ironically it didn’t do a thing.
Seven thousand moving parts caused a lot of commotion, but they served no purpose! In our high tech era, it’s easy to confuse activity with purposefulness. We can be lulled into believing that the noise of gears and pulleys is the sound of something worthwhile. This can be as true for a church as it can for a person…having 1000s of moving parts making a lot of noise but accomplishing little of God’s purposes.
In the last five years, Saint Paul’s has defined and refined its purpose, mission, vision, and core values. They help keep us purposeful with the flurry of activity our church enjoys. We recognize, however, that above it all, driving all we do is “the main thing.” What is that fundamental reason for our existence and activity? Glorifying God!
Our overriding mandate, aspiration, and expectation is for God to be glorified in our church, our lives, our everything (e.g., Ps 73:24-28; 86:8-12; Matt 5:16; John 12:28; 1 Cor 6:20; 10:31; Phil
1:11; 2:11; 2 Thess. 1:11-12; 1 Pet 4:1; Rev 4:11; 5:12). We must
aim to magnify and elevate God. We need to put Him and His priorities in first place, where He can shine on the center stage of all we are and do. The activities are limitless, but the purpose is constant. So let’s remember that the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing, “so that with one heart and mouth [we] may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 15:6)!
For Discussion: Brainstorm the normal activities in your life and consider how you can practically glorify God in each of those things?
Family Activity: Take your kids on a tour of the house, stopping at various items like your phone, table, computer, car, etc. Consider together,“How can or should we use this to glorify God?”
