1 Corinthians 10:31 is well-known. That’s where Paul writes: “whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Several years ago, I was discussing this verse with a group of high school students. One of the students asked: ‘Why does God want us to focus on him so much? Isn’t that kind of selfish? I thought we were supposed to focus on others, not ourselves.’

Great question.

Think of it like this. Let’s say there is a theme park. There are different parts to it. Some aren’t very interesting. Some are uncared for because the maintenance crew hasn’t visited in a while. Some are too expensive. Some have expired food.

However, there’s another part of the park that is exceptional. It’s a place where people find joy and purpose and peace and togetherness and beauty. 

If as a dad I tell my kids to focus on those other parts of the park, am I setting them up for a great day? Of course not. Instead, I would tell them to focus on where there is joy and purpose and peace and togetherness and beauty. 

Every illustration has it’s limits of course, but here’s the connection. God is that glorious part of the park. If he told us to focus on anything other than himself, he would be telling us to make our lives worse, not better. Since he himself is always good, holy, wise, loving and true, centring our lives around anything else would be a disservice. 

Let’s put God at the centre of everything. Despite what you may hear to the contrary, he is where we find joy and purpose and peace and togetherness and beauty. 

Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

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Notes:

-“What is the point of life? (Daniel Series Summary)” Click here. Sermon.
-Bible quotes are from the ESV.