Joel M Bradshaw

27It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.–Proverbs 25

Honey in the ancient world was that special treat that you didn’t always have. I remember the days growing up when in my family only my grandmother had a VCR. She would send it our way on some weekends and we got to see VHS movies. What a special treat!

Sweet things should be used in moderation, but also the special things are enjoyed all the more when they are set apart. If all you did was go on vacation, vacation would lose its value.

Seeking one’s own glory doesn’t make sense. Glory is something you are given by another. You may work hard and achieve success, but you don’t get to ascribe to yourself your own historical perspective of your accomplishments.

So if you are living a life that seeks glory, it in itself is not glorious. It may result in others giving you glory, but we all find glory hounds annoying. Me saying, “I am really good at this” is less powerful than someone else saying, “You are very good at this.”

Life has humbled me. I used to care a lot about my legacy and accomplishments. My degrees and my knowledge base were what I hung my hat on. I still care too much about what others think of me, but I no longer am selfishly driven the same way I once was. As if my name can become great or if I can be seen as outstanding in my field are what truly matter.

Yes, I still have personal and ministry goals and I work hard towards seeing them accomplished. But the perspective has changed. A former me found the journey to glory attainable. The current me is more like the author of Ecclesiastes. It’s ultimately meaningless to live life on the self-focused glory track.

No, live a life that serves and encourages. Proclaim the greatness of others and uplift their accomplishments. See the value in being a part of a team rather than being a glory hound. We live for Jesus’ glory anyway and never our own!

I enjoy being able to watch a movie at a moment’s notice, but I’ll never forget the magic of popping tapes into that VCR with my family. Life should understand perspective and value. Life should be spent uplifting others rather than yourself. The life that seeks its own glory eventually becomes like the 5th bowl of honey.–JMB