Purpose=glorify God!

During this season of adversity it has been hard know what my purpose or role is. Not being able to serve in the ways I used to or even want to has been hard. Especially in the darker days I have wondered if my purpose is just to suffer. Through the word and many conversations with Christian friends the answer to my question has been discovered. I Corinthians 10:31, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Whether we are serving in our church or campus ministry every day all the time or we are just showing up at church and corporate meetings we are called to glorify Christ. There is specific scripture dealing with glorifying God through suffering. I Peter 4:12-13 says, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." In verse 16 is goes on to say, "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name." Even when health is bad and we are not able to serve or strive in ways we used you we can still bring glory to the Lord. Walking out trials and adversity while depending on the Lord and the grace of Christ is one of the best ways to glorify our Lord and Savior. Hebrews 12:7a says, "It is for discipline that you have to endure." Romans 5:3-5 tells of how important endurance in suffering is. "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." This is how we can have faith that adversity is for our good. Hebrews 12:7b says, "God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?" So, my purpose right now is to endure these trials and bring God glory through this time. I have to keep my eyes on the gospel and Christ. Basically, my purpose is not any different now than it was a year or ago or even two years ago. Our purpose on Earth and when we get to heaven is the same-glorify God!