No Matter What

It’s crazy how we can sing lyrics of a song with such gusto, but if we were to remove the music and lay the lyrics bare, could we truly say the same words with the same conviction? Do we really mean what we are singing? Think about it for a moment, how many times have the words “All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give” come out of our mouths? But do we truly mean it, or Is it just lips service?

Johnathan Traylor has a song titled “You Get The Glory” in a couple of my playlists. I found myself for months singing along only to one day literally stop mid-song and allow the lyrics to sink in. Then, I became convicted to do a deep dive to confirm if my heart matched what was coming out of my mouth.

“This is so heavy

And it’s bringing me to my knees

And I’m crying out Lord; I need You now

To come and see about me

Don’t know why’s this life so hard?

And why do You seem so far?

But if this cup won’t pass.

Help me to stay steadfast.

Let Your will be done.”

And it goes on to say, ” No matter what I have to go through in this world, As long as You get the glory from it.“

I know I can’t be the only one who can admit that I haven’t always been eager to say, “Yes, Lord, no matter what I have to go through in this world, I am cool with it as long as you get the glory from it!” That right there is big. No one willingly says sign me up for infertility, addiction, infidelity, sickness, betrayal, brokenness. But, I don’t know about you, but I do find myself needing there to be a purpose to my pain, for my circumstances not to feel pointless: for my life not to feel wasted.

As a frail human who lives in a broken world, I am aware that I will suffer no matter what; it’s part of the human condition. So if I am going to experience heartbreak and brokenness with or without God in my life, it only makes sense to journey through the darkness with the Light of the World as my guide. So I am taking my hurts and sorrows and turning them into a redemption story, shining a light on hope and wholeness.

Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:3 NLT

The only way it works for God to get the glory in your story is for you to allow Him to direct it. LET GO AND LET GOD. We have to be willing to let go of trying to control our problems and situations and allow God to do what ONLY HE CAN DO. In that way, when the storm has passed, and we come out the other side of our suffering, we cannot ever take credit for making it through. I so desperately want my story to be a survival guide for others, to bring hope to the hopeless. I don’t want anyone to conclude that I made it through the storms in life on my own strength or gumption. Instead, it truly is my heart’s desire that God would get the glory in my story no matter the outcome. 

For he’s the awe-inspiring God, great and glorious in power! We’ve never seen anything like him! Mighty in miracles, you cause your enemies to tremble. No wonder they all surrender and bow before you! All the earth will bow down to worship; all the earth will sing your glories forever! Pause in his presence Everyone will say, “Come and see the incredible things God has done; it will take your breath away. He multiplies miracles for his people!” Psalm 66:3-5 TPT

Father, thank you that we can be confident in Your goodness. We can know that although we can’t avoid pain and heartache in this life, we can partner with You to allow purpose in our brokenness. It is so comforting to know that when life feels messy and hard we can trust You, and our hope can be tied to Your unchanging promises. Help us to let go of trying to control our circumstances so that others can see You at work in our lives, and You will get the glory in our stories.  Amen