The Glory of Naperville and The Glory of God

Glory is the measure of a person or thing’s greatness, fame, renown, or worth. The glory of the latest phone leads us to wait in line to buy it the day it arrives. The glory of a sports team leads us to recall past feats of victory and triumph. The glory of person’s accomplishments or life causes us to write biographies and inspires us to live differently.

I live in Naperville, a town that has a glory of its own. It’s been ranked as one of the best places to live many times in the last decade. The population is affluent, well-educated, and it is one of the safest places to live and raise a family in America. Along with this, it has a beautiful downtown and some of the nicest, biggest, and most expensive houses. This glory causes many to move to Naperville and to be proud of their city.

But the reality is this: the glory of Naperville will not last. Like all other glories of this life, the glory of Naperville will one day fade. The community and reputation of Naperville cannot endure, because that is the way things are in this world. Everything fades… [This does not mean we should not enjoy our great city, but that we must keep its greatness in perspective]

There is a glory that far outshines the glories of Naperville and every city of this land. It is a glory that endures time and will never get old. There is a fame that satisfies, and a renown that leads to everlasting deeper and greater pleasure and excitement. This glory/fame/renown is found in God.

God’s glory is what we were made to live for and enjoy for all of eternity. His reputation cannot be surpassed: only He is beyond time, and will never be forgotten. His beauty has no equal: when seen with eyes that have been opened by Him, hearts sing and delight and realize that every earthly beauty is a reflection or echo of His majesty and goodness. His might cannot be triumphed: speaking the universe into being and upholding it by the word of his power are only two of His mighty acts. His knowledge cannot be exceeded: knowing everything that has ever happened, is happening, and will come to be. His undeserved holy love toward rebels who reject Him melts sinners hearts, and makes dead men live. This love is pure and gracious and seen most clearly in the gospel: Jesus, the God-Man, came and lived and died for sinful humanity to rescue a people to live in a restored relationship with God to enjoy God’s glory forever.

We hope and pray that those in Naperville, and everywhere, would see the joy, greatness, and goodness of the glory God. Only by centering ourselves on this wonderful glory will our hearts ever find true joy, meaning, and purpose in our lives.

If want to join us in celebrating God’s glory in Naperville, please consider joining our church plant: Cross of Christ Fellowship (crossofchristfellowship.org)