Taylor-made

So I am speaking at a retreat for Junior High students this weekend and I'm really excited and nervous at the same time. I really feel like God has poured some things in to me and I am praying that God moves in our hearts this weekend as we go before Him, get into His Word, and have the kind of crazy fun the junior highers are known for. This is my first time speaking at a retreat but I've been wanting to do stuff like this for a long time. One of my passions is to teach the Word of God and spur students on towards a passionate, active love relationship with the one true God and that the outflow of would be pleasing and glorifying to God. I'm not too crazy about John Piper eventhough I know some people are but a quote of his that I didn't really get until a few months ago really makes sense. He says, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." When I first heard this I didn't completely get it and was honestly a little annoyed at all of these big time preachers and teachers that think they can reduce God and all that He is about to easy sayings. But, as the saying goes, it's easier said than done. What does it mean for us to be "most satisfied" in God? Well, it means that we are only looking to Him to fill us up. We are only looking to Him to provide our needs. We are only looking to Him for fulfillment and enjoyment. And even more, we are only going to Him for all of those things. Now don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that having fun with friends, or going to the movies, or playing Xbox is wrong. I'm not saying that having a girlfriend/boyfriend is wrong or that school and success and money are wrong either. I am however that eventhough all of that stuff is fun it shouldn't for one moment take the place of God in our lives. Jesus is the Source of life, the calmer of the storms, the Vine for all branches. We were made for Him and if we aren't living for Him than of course we won't be fulfilled, and neither will we be living up to the purpose for which we have been called which us ultimately to GLORIFY HIM. It would be life me buying a really expensive guitar from Taylor. Those really expensive ones that cost upwards of $1000 just for a non-acoustic electric guitar and using it for fire wood. I would hope that people would think I was stupid or crazy and would want to stop me!! I don't know if you've ever heard a Taylor made guitar but these guitars are among the sweetest guitars ever made. They are "hand-made", custom built with finest craftsmenship. And when they are played right I'm not sure if there is anything sweeter to listen to. Intrestingly enough the reputation for Taylor guitars has gotten around. Any one who is anyone with any kind of guitar background will probably tell you that Taylor's are top of the line. That gives glory or credit to the makers of those guitars. In the same way we are giving glory to our maker when we are being used for that which we were made for. Glorifying Him.