Mar 11 - "Why it Feels Good to Be Good"

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to us all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." -- Titus 2: 1-15
***********************************************

After spending this week in "Sin City", where there is an abundance of ways to be "bad" instead of good, I find today's scripture from the oft forgotten book of Titus to be a refreshing reminder of why it feels good to be good.

As is the case with scripture, on occassion, you have to remember the time in history during which it was written and not get caught up in all of the words, but in the intent of the words. Some people find this chapter of Titus a bit off-putting because it also recommends that "slaves" be submissive to their masters and show fidelity to them. However, within this obscure epistle of Paul, buried deep in the back of the New Testament, there is a wonderful section of verse which, after listing many ways we can be good people, says, "...so that in everything they may be an ornament to the doctrine of God our Savior."

I believe that our sole purpose, the reason we are in this world and exist in our human condition, is to glorify God. Now, when we think about the word "glorify", we can sometimes think it means that we are here to "serve" God or be in some perpetual state of worship and praise. We may also find ourselves thinking that God somehow "needs" our praise and our glory. But, think for a moment about how the word "glory" or "glorify" can also mean to put a thing to its best use and by doing so, presents a perfect realization of the full potential of that thing. When we sing...we glorify God by using the gift of our voice. When we run or swim or otherwise go break a sweat for a good purpose...we glorify God by using the gift of our body. When we pray, when we love...we glorify God by using the gift of our heart.

Glorifying God in the little things...and the big things...that we do every day allows us to put into action the gift of our sheer existence. The feelings each of us have when we know we have been good or done a good thing is when we become Holy and are closest to God.

So, glorify God by doing that good thing. Whether it is a kind word, a smile, a helping hand or that unselfish act which is only known by you and by God, all of these things fulfill your purpose and, dear friends, it feels good!