I’m thinking of a specific person. Actually, a remarkable person. As I got to know and interact with them, I realized they are the perfect example of what we discuss today – well-thought, well-spoken, well-lived. Over time, I came to deeply respect this person because they represent a very well-lived life!
Who comes to your mind as you consider today’s content?
Well-Thought, Well-Spoken, Well-Lived
What makes a person well-lived? Frequently, that person is well-spoken. And it’s almost impossible to be well-spoken without first being well-thought. In fact, I think it goes something like this – –
If you are well-thought, chances are you will be well-spoken and well-lived!
To find someone who is well-thought is a great find. Further, to discover that person is also well-spoken is rare, indeed. Subsequently, to observe that person has patterns of being well-lived – well – you know you’ve found a real treasure.
My Well-Spoken, Well-Thought, Well-Lived Friend
Actually, I must admit something. I’m blessed beyond what I deserve to have a good number of well-spoken, well-thought, well-lived friends. And I cherish each one.
However, in the case of developing this material, the dear friend I write about is no longer here. The Lord took her home – and I miss her very much. I continue to enjoy precious friends still alive, of course! Sadly, however, I must wait a significant amount of time to re-unite with my friend who has gone to Heaven. What an encourager, an example, and one of the most gracious people I’ve known. So, in a way, you might say this is a kind of eulogy in her honor.
For some time, I’ve held this friend in high esteem with great respect. Matter of fact, in every way I observed her life, she was well-thought, well-spoken, well-lived.
Glory In Well-Thought, Well-Spoken, Well-Lived
Before we develop this idea, let’s define the word “glory” – specifically the verb. A very simple definition by Merriam Webster is – “to rejoice proudly.”
Actually, you do this all the time! Here are examples.
You –
- Eat at a great restaurant.
- Go to a wonderful event.
- Experience a new technology tool.
- Discover an excellent book.
- Are so proud of your child.
- Cannot imagine life without a particular person.
– and you can’t stop talking about it! The awesome discovery, experience, reality, or knowledge is only made more complete as you boast about it to others.
Simply put – you glory in it.
Glory Means Good Boasting
We explored the idea of glorying in someone or something. Similarly, there are many things to boast about. Afterall, not all boasting is wrong. Just remember examples we listed to glory in as a good kind of boasting.
Specifically, look at the example of going to a good restaurant. The service is excellent. The food is delicious. Plus, the atmosphere is unique. Telling someone about it completes your experience of a wonderful meal.
From sports victories to new science discoveries. From incredible medical advancements to an awesome sale at a favorite store. It could be a good cup of coffee, a new outfit at a discount price, a developing friendship, a change of season, a great joke, the latest technology that just arrived on your doorstep.
People love to glory in things. People also love to hear good boasting. God made us that way. It’s part of our original design.
God’s Design
We already explored how “the experience” of boasting intensifies the pleasure, the value, the priority of what you learned, saw, experienced, or discovered.
Simply put – it’s pleasurable to glory in something. Essentially, to lift-up what you think is valuable. To take time to praise something or someone is worthwhile. The enjoyment of telling someone else – making the announcement – is fulfilling.
When you take the time to express particulars, you are functioning in the manner God created. This is the human template – God’s design. People were “engineered” (for lack of a better term) to engage in completing experiences by expression.
Consider every-day realities –
- Phenomenon of communication and language is designed to glory in something.
- Memory of an experience or event enhances a thing.
- Books are written because of human design to glory in something.
- Movies are crafted and filmed with some kind of glory in mind.
- Speeches rally others to participate just by listening and remembering.
- Sermons are intended as a call to action through one’s memory of God’s words.
In our fallen world, people’s design means – too often, they boast incorrectly, and that pretty much ruins interaction on many levels. Sadly, they engage expression to –
- Elevate self.
- Enhance their own image.
- Compensate for insecurities.
- Increase their own pleasures.
- Brag inappropriately.
If you listen carefully to self-centered glory and boasting, you can hear underlying messages –
- Begging for any kind of purpose.
- Trying to numb pain.
- Compensating for feeling puny, lost, weak, inferior, less than, overlooked.
- Needing to be recognized.
- Hoping to be loved and valued.
And so, whether healthy boasting or sinful boasting – people boast!
Glory In Life To Draw Attention To God
What a unique opportunity to be well-thought, well-spoken, and well-lived! Yes, learning how to glory in life and draw attention to God.
How does a Jesus follower engage in healthy boasting? Even more important, in what ways can you glory in life to draw attention to God?
Let’s look at four ideas.
1. Worship
Truth gives you something credible, dependable, and eternal to glory in.
Remarkably, since God made people in this unique design, you are most fulfilled when you glory in God. When you worship. More specifically, when you worship God in spirit and truth. (Jn. 4:24) Your joy increases because of who you worship. Plus, your personal life purpose is validated.
- Exalt in good things that point to a good, loving God.
- Lift up honorable human behaviors that hint of the likeness of the Creator.
- Hold yourself to highest standards of conduct because it is loving, kind, respectful, and helpful.
- Find your real self.
- Discover the joy of His design to get more comfortable in your own skin.
Worship God – who is Spirit and Truth!
2. Pursue The Well-Thought, Well-Spoken, Well-Lived Christ
The more you discover about Jesus Christ each day, the more you want to know Him. Additionally, you experience joy when you express His excellent character to everyone.
Even during hard times, you find yourself migrating to the truth of who Jesus is. Equally, you can face hardships because He never changes. Scripture says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Heb. 13:8)
This loving Christ died for you – and came back to life. Death can never take Him from you. His promises, power, and presence are always yours.
In personal weakness, when you are discouraged, during times of sickness, when you are ill-treated, slandered, maligned – tell yourself and others the truth.
Talk about how God –
- Keeps every promise.
- Turns evil into good.
- “ . . . makes all things beautiful in His time. . . “ (Eccl. 3:11)
- Forgives all who repent and trust Him.
- Renews strength and hope.
Subsequently, glory in this dear Friend who is well-thought, well-spoken, well- lived . . . this Person who can never be taken from you through death. Be God’s friend.
These are things that inspire you to boast. Glory in them. Additionally, ponder them deeply, and match your choices to them. As a result, you then become well-thought, well-spoken, and well-lived!
Just throw your heart into it!
3. Weakness
Have you considered that by glorying in your weakness, you can become powerful? Scripture says, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:10)
When you step back – and let Christ step forward in your life details and decisions – you quite literally glory in Jesus. Essentially, your “boasting points” prove how dying to self and living for Jesus enables you to be the person He created. Well-thought. Well-spoken. Well-lived.
Jesus Christ is worthy of all worship, praise, conversation, tweeting, texting, blogging, and even shouting about!
4. Creation
Glory in Jesus by enjoying His creation. Despite this broken world, creation is still magnificent and beautiful. Creation has a way of renewing you, making you smile, blessing your soul, inspiring that part of you that needs to be encouraged.
Application Thoughts And Questions
- Did you know glorying means to “rejoice proudly?”
- Do you engage good boasting?
- In what ways do you glory in Christ?
- Do you boast about His love, provisions, interventions, and goodness as you experience life?
- Even in difficult times, do you discipline yourself to practice being well-thought, well-spoken, well-lived?
- Do you –
-
- worship,
- pursue knowing Christ,
- boast about your weakness, and
- enjoy creation?
-
- So, are you well-thought, well-spoken, well-lived?
* Portions of this content come from our book – e-Pistles For An i-Generation: Relevant In A Digital Age – a devotional book that takes you through 1 and 2 Corinthians. You’ll find practical action points that help you know God better and nurture personal growth. You can find this book in our bookstore: www.aliveandactivelife.org/store.
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