Do your friends get a glimpse of the divine when they look at you—or are they turned off to God altogether? What does it mean to glorify God? Do you know what it looks like to let your life be a glimpse of God’s glory?
(And isn’t it kind of selfish of God to have created us for the sole purpose of glorifying him?)
If that’s how you feel about glorifying God, then you have the wrong definition of the word glorify—and I’m more than happy to set you straight.
Hey, I’m Lauren, author of YA Christian fiction and
blogger for teens ready to level up in faith.
Subscribe for inspiring content and free YA ebooks!
In This Article
Exactly What Does it Mean to Glorify God?
God cannot be made any more beautiful or spectacular than he is. To glorify him does not mean we make him appear bigger the way an organism placed under a microscope might look. Video games “glorify” violence and pop culture “glorifies” sin in this matter but that is not what it means to glorify God.
God cannot be made any more beautiful or spectacular than he is.
Also incorrect is the idea that the only way to glorify God is to raise your hands in the air and sing along with the praise band at church. In fact, the act of glorifying should be a part of every aspect of your life. How you act, what you think, what you say, the plans you make…
Glorifying God is like looking at him through a telescope, where something that is unimaginably great begins to look more like it truly is.
How to Glorify God: A Lesson From Astronomy
I love astronomy. Nowhere else can you find starker contrasts between what you see and what’s really there. Take the Andromeda Galaxy, for example. When you stand in your backyard, gazing up at the night sky with naked eyes, Andromeda appears as little more than a fuzzy blur—and that’s if you know where to look.
A powerful telescope, however, reveals something entirely different. Something astounding, as captured in this photograph.
An even more startling contrast is found in the constellation Orion.
When viewed by the naked eye on a dark night (read: no city lights), its most striking feature is its distinct shape. Note the three bright stars of the hunter’s belt and the three descending “stars” of his sword. One of them is a little fuzzier than the others but otherwise appears to be nothing noteworthy.
Sort of pretty, but not particularly impressive, right?
Until you view this through a much larger telescope. Suddenly, that fuzzy “star” comes to astonishing life—beautiful colors, a distinct horsehead shape. And you realize it’s not a start at all but a cloud of gas surrounded by millions of stars, all within one small field of view. (See the heading image in this post).
All of this hangs above our heads every night when we go to bed. That boggles my mind.
This is what it means to let your life be a glimpse of God’s glory:
Glorifying God is like looking at him through a telescope, where something that is unimaginably great begins to look more like it truly is.
Zoom In: Let Your Life Be a Glimpse of God’s Glory:
Glorifying God is like zooming in on him with a larger aperture telescope. He’s already there and already great and beautiful and majestic. But without the telescope, he appears as little more than a hazy blur to an unbeliever.
You are the telescope that lets others see God for how great he is.
You are the telescope that lets others see God for how great he is.
What kind of image of God do you portray to those around you? Does God seem fuzzy and unappealing? Cold and irrelevant? Are his magnificent features—namely, his love and power—visible but unclear? Or do you offer others a glimpse of his beauty with so many vivid colors, stark contrasts, and captivating details they just can’t look away?
How you live your life really does make a difference in drawing others to God. For some, what they see in you will be their first glimpse of God’s glory and the saving power of Jesus. Glorify God in all you do and let every part of your life offer a zoomed-in glimpse of who He really is.
How Can I Glorify God With My Life? 10 Ways
1) Glorify Him in Your Speech
The way you talk—both to and about others—says a lot about your character. But does your speech also give others a glimpse of God’s character? Do they hear love, kindness, and truth? Do they hear his name spoken on your lips in love, or only when you smash your finger?
- Tame Your Tongue And Kiss Disrespect Goodbye!
- 8 Super Simple Social Media Guidelines for Christian Teens (yes, what you say on social media counts!)
2) Live Honorably in Public And Private
It’s not just about your conduct when people are looking. A person’s character is often defined by what he would do if he knew he would never be found out. Make sure your private life aligns with God’s will because it’s there that your public behavior is cultivated.
- Not Just on Sunday: How to Be a Christian Every Day
- For guidelines straight from the Bible on how to conduct a life that glorifies God, check out Galatians 5:13-26, where the famous fruit of the Spirit passage is found.
3) Embrace Purity and Holiness
Most of us grew up with the wrong view of purity. Often, purity is treated like a bullseye, the ultimate accomplishment in Christian conduct. But purity isn’t the target. Jesus is the target, and purity the arrow that brings you closer to him. You aren’t trying to be holy and pure so you can earn a badge of honor but so you can serve him out of the love in your heart.
When others see you pursuing these things with a heart of love, you will glorify God in all you do.
- The Holy Teenage Life: Real Faith, Real Happiness
- The Case For Abstinence: This is What Really Matters
- The Right Reason for Purity: It’s Not What You Think
4) Appear As a Child of God
Nothing a Christian does is ever for herself, and that includes her clothing choices and physical health. Appearance does matter inasmuch as you are taking good care of yourself and showing your love for Christ in outward signs.
- Christian Girls and Fashion: Why is Modesty Important?
- 5 Important Questions About Modesty—And Their Answers
- Is it Okay For Christian Women to Wear Makeup?
5) Praise Him With Every Part of You
God loves you. Do you truly believe that? If you’re not sure, check out How to Really, Truly Know God Loves You. Then let your hand, lips, and voice praise him often and every day.
- From Silence to Song: How to Have a Heart of Praise
- A Heart Of Gratitude on the Day After Thanksgiving?
- 20 Awesome Things Christian Teens Can Take Pride In
6) Pray—A Lot
What does it mean to glorify God in prayer, other than the more obvious “Praise Jesus!” prayers? You give him glory when you thank him for his provision, and when you trust him with your fears, and when you ask him for faith. Prayer is so much more than most of us make it out to be.
- How to Have a Richer Prayer Life By Friday—See all the different types of prayers you can use to glorify God!
- Why Should I Pray? The Remarkable Privilege of Prayer
- Faith Without Works: Does Prayer Make Christians Lazy?
7) Live By the Fruit of the Spirit
This is sort of redundant to both #1 and #2, but it’s important enough to be considered on its own. The fruit of the Spirit (if you didn’t look it up above) is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Let your life be a glimpse of God’s glory through your use of the fruit!
8) Enjoy The Gifts
I get this question a lot: “Is it possible to glorify God with with sports, hobbies, and fun pursuits?”
Yes, you can and you should! Don’t fall into the rut of thinking that serving God is supposed to be boring. He created you with unique talents and interests. He gave us pleasurable things to enjoy. Just don’t let the gift become more important to you than the One who gave it to you.
Check out this external article—Glorifying God in Sport From A to Z—for some tips on how to do that. (Works for non-athletic pursuits too!)
9) Be Faithful to Him, Even When it Hurts
I won’t pretend being a Christian is all sweet and pretty. Sometimes it draws out the ugliness of the world. When there’s pressure on your faith, praise him for walking you through the fire.
- Facing Persecution: Are You Ready to Pay The Highest Price?
- When Being a Christian Teen is Hard, Soar With Psalm 119
- Indestructible Faith: How to Toughen Up For Hard Times
10) Face Death With Faith
A lot of people are afraid of death. You don’t have to be because you know death will usher you into eternal life. What better way to let others glimpse God’s glory than to share this hope you have?
- Look Forward to Eternity: The Best is Yet to Come
- Jesus Defeated Death—And Now You Will Too
- Why Is Evangelism Important? Share The Hope of Eternity
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
Glorify God In All You Do: More Resources for Teens
You don’t have to have all the answers.
But, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.
It’s hard (though not impossible) to glorify God when your heart isn’t feeling it, and the heart can be a hard one to convince. If that’s the case for you, check out A Rare Treasure: Discover True Christian Joy.
Find practical ideas how to glorify God in all you do with Work, School & Play: How to Serve God In Everyday Life and Good Morning Beautiful: Glorify God in Your Morning Routine (article from Life Teen).
