"All For Him?"

By Zach Wood

1 Peter 4:11

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.  Amen.

 

 

I sit behind a drumset each Sunday morning and play for our praise team at church.  On Wednesday nights, I play my guitar and lead worship for our youth group.  Occasionally, I have the opportunity to do play a solo song on my guitar and sing in front of the congregation.  I enjoy these opportunities very much and am so passionate about sharing the message of music ministry.  However, each time I serve through music ministry, I question my motives.  I honestly do each time.  Music is my passion and it burns within me, but I must make absolutely sure that I am doing it for the glory of God every single time.  I must admit I struggle every time I get up in front of a crowd to serve with my music ability. 

 

How about you?  Do you find yourself looking for attention, credit and praise when you use your talents and abilities for God in front of crowds?  You wouldn't be human if there was no part of you looking for any of that at any time.  What is important here is that we need to remember that God deserves all the credit and glory any time we are complimented for what we do.  Nothing should ever be done for our glory.  We can take the compliment and be thankful for how God has used us and feel good about that.  We just cannot take the spotlight off of our Creator for how He has used us. 

 

This passage hits home with me and I hope it does with you as well.  As we are living for God, we should remember always that when we speak, we should speak with a sincerity that shows the love of God through our words.  When we serve, we should do so with a passion that shows others we have God's power to have done so.  Everything we do should breathe out the power of God alone.  Nothing we do should be done with an attitude of self-centeredness.  When we do, we have lost the meaning of giving Him praise for our abilities. 

 

Consider what you do each day or each week in service to the Kingdom.  Are you doing it for your glory or for His?  I so much enjoy music ministry and the opportunities I have in front of crowds leading.  However, I must always remember it is not about people looking at me and my great ability.  It is all about how God is using me and those around me to bring glory to Him.  PERIOD.  It's all about Him!