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“I (Jesus) have made You known to them and will continue to make You known in order that the love You have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” John 17:26 (NIV)

My sweet hubby, Jay, has the knack for conversation. I don’t think he has ever met a stranger. Regardless of where we are, he will know the people around us before we leave. How does he do it? Jay simply introduces himself and then switches the focus and conversation to revolve around the other person. Me, I’m more like an quiet observer enduring a wait in line missing out on a chance to know someone new.

Know who else was great at conversation? Jesus was great at instigating pivotal conversations that drew one’s heart to the Father. It would have been easy and perhaps even normal if He had zeroed in on His own greatness. After all Jesus was the Son of God. He turned water into wine. He healed the sick. He walked on water. He fed the multitudes. Jesus spoke and the storms calmed. He rose Lazarus from the grave. Told the Samaritan woman everything she ever did. Emptied the temple of moneychangers. Healed the blind and lame. And the gospel of John reminds us that if every one of Jesus’ miracles were written down the world would have no place to hold the books (John 21:25). Yet not a word out of Jesus’ mouth proclaimed His glory. Not even a simple pat on the back or a rhetorical listing of His accomplishments.

Why? Because Jesus was not focused on self. Instead He proclaimed over and over again that He was here to do His Father’s business. Fulfilling God’s will was at the top of Jesus’ list. All of His actions, words and thoughts centered on the Father. Everything about His life reflected the heart of the God.

Wonder what would happen if instead of focusing on our achievements, successes and inspiring deeds, we proclaimed the true source of our inner strength? What if we made God known to those who encounter us? And what if we allowed our conversations to weave an open door to God’s greatness? Inviting others to know God rather than focus on self.

Best conversations ever are centered on giving Him glory – and it begins with you and me.

“Father, let the words of our mouth and the mediation of our heart bring you glory.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life