In the previous devotional, I talked about holiness. These days, we don’t tend to talk about holiness too much. Perhaps we think it will make us sound snooty. 

Or weird.

However, the fact remains that God’s people are called to live in a way that is distinct from the world around us. With God’s help, we are to increasingly reflect his character while here on earth.

But what does this look like?

In addition to things like faithfulness, being different, showing fervent love, a commitment to the truth, and to gratitude, is glorifying God. That’s right—pointing to the greatness of God is a part of our holy vocation.

Among other places, we find this detail in 1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

The prevailing view of the culture around us ignores or belittles God. Not so with us. God has “chosen” us and made us “royal” and “holy.” In response, we “proclaim the excellencies of him who called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

When we praise God in a worship service, we are definitely glorifying him. But we also glorify him when we love others as Jesus’ hands and feet, when we talk to others about the hope he gives us, when we use the gifts and abilities God has given to us, when we give him priority in our lives, and when we work to advance his good causes in our families and wider world.

It’s okay to be weird. But let’s be weird for the kingdom. 

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

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Notes:

-The Up Devotional is published 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and returns on May 25, 2026.
-Bible quotes are from the ESV.