Soli Deo Gloria
“For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.” — Romans 11:36
Soli Deo Gloria — Glory to God alone.
In her recent Sunday message, Sonia Miller, Director of Connections Ministries, invited us to consider what these three words look like when they move beyond something we say and become something we truly live.
Sonia shared the story of her dear friend Kathy, whose deep love for God and His Word remained steadfast even through her battle with cancer. As her health declined, Kathy continued to live by those three words: Soli Deo Gloria. Her life pointed to Jesus not only when life was good, but when following Him meant trusting Him through suffering and uncertainty.
Her example leads us to a challenging question: Does my life point people toward me—or toward God?
From Self-Centered to God-Centered
Romans 11:36 reminds us that everything is from Him, through Him, and for Him. Our talents, resources, opportunities, relationships, and even our salvation are gifts entrusted to us by God.
When we begin to see life this way, our perspective changes. Entitlement gives way to gratitude. Pride gives way to humility. Instead of seeing ourselves as owners, we begin to see ourselves as stewards of what God has given us.
And that affects the ordinary parts of life too: how we work, how we speak, how we treat others, how we respond to success—and even how we handle failure.
Reflecting His Light
Sonia offered a beautiful picture: the moon has no light of its own; it reflects the light of the sun.
Our lives are meant to do the same with God.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:16 to let our light shine so others may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven. The goal is not for people to stop and admire us, but to look beyond us and see something of God.
That can mean choosing integrity over recognition, serving when nobody notices, giving God the credit when things go well, and showing grace when they don’t.
Perhaps the greatest test comes in difficult seasons. Can we still say Soli Deo Gloria when prayers seem unanswered, circumstances do not make sense, or life feels painfully out of tune?
Sonia reminded us that even the hardest seasons, when placed in God’s hands, can bring Him glory.
Soli Deo Gloria is not simply a theological phrase. It is a daily choice:
My gifts. My struggles. My victories. My whole life. May it all point back to You.
So as we enter another week, perhaps the question to carry with us is simple:
When people see the way I live, will they simply see me—or will they catch a glimpse of God?
