In him, according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will, we who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, which is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. - Eph 1: 11-14
To the praise of his glory.
That really is what the whole thing is about.
I keep coming back to this idea that the cross and the resurrection cannot be separated in our lives. We respect no successful person who has simply lucked into their position. We only deem those who have suffered to get there to be worthy of our esteem. That isn't to say, if God is in any way glorified in my life, even through my suffering, that I get any credit or glory for myself. But I need to stop treating each challenge along the way as some sort of great impediment to the life I want - one that glorifies God - rather than as the only possible means to it.
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