Glory Chaser vs. Glory Indwelled

I’ve had several things kicking around within me over the last couple of weeks, so I was torn as to what to write about while I’ve finally taken the time to sit down and address them. I’ve also got several articles, in varying stages, that are just about ready to wrap up, but I really wanted to address a matter that seems to be at the forefront right now.

Let me preface this post with this: I believe in, and have experienced, the supernatural. I know with all of my being that God is working miracles, signs and wonders in the here and now and I desire to be a part of what He is doing on the earth in this hour. I believe that lame are being made to walk, blinded eyes are being opened and that many signs will become even more and more evident. As the Word tells us, He will “pour out His spirit upon all flesh”. My concern is regarding the “flesh” part and how it seems to play such a major roll in many meetings and “movements”. It’s my desire to step back and look at our role in it all and how we should handle with great respect, care and awe, the presence of our Lord. In other words, how can we allow Him to move in and through us with the least amount of “us” necessary?

Most everyone that reads this will likely have now heard of the events taking place in Lakeland, Florida. There is much buzz about the healings and miracles taking place in that area and many from all over the country and beyond are beginning to pack up their bags and head down to check it out. Now in no way whatsoever am I doubting or discrediting what the Lord might be doing down there, OK? OK. My concern is with the droves that are posting online about “heading down to Lakeland to get blasted by the glory!” I’ve never been into hype or glory meetings, despite my love for intimacy and touches from my Father and for that I’m thankful. There is absolutely nothing better than being so deeply touched by His holy presence that you cannot even move, let alone stand (which, by the way, only ever happens to me here at my house without any “assistance” from others).

To summarize a bit what I’m referring to, here are some bits and pieces from an online post I read recently from a random person heading down to the now officially labeled, “Lakeland outpouring”.

“The world has been set ablaze by what started as a few meetings in Lakeland, FL. Tonight was the strongest yet as (the evangelist) stopped the service to declare that our living Lord was on the platform. I was on the phone with (my husband) at the time, and the entire atmosphere changed. A heavy, totally intoxicating weight of the Lord's presence descended upon my sister-in-law and I as we sat in my car. We had just gotten out of a (healing and impartation ministry) meeting, and were already blitzed from that, when a whole new level of intoxication occurred. (I actually was so blitzed on the way home and so lost in the glory, that I forgot where I was going and ended up taking an extremely long way home!) Every kind of miracle and deliverance is taking place. God is doing some mighty things, and with each passing day, it gets stronger, bigger, better, and more blissfully intoxicating. It looks like after (my husband) returns from Lakeland tomorrow, we'll be going back on Thursday or Friday. Mommy's gotta get hers too!!!”

I want to be clear that I’m not trying to denounce the Lakeland meetings WHATSOEVER. I’ve not been there and I do not doubt that God is moving mightily there. I’m simply using it as a reference because it is so predominant right now. What I’m concerned about is the terminology and goal of so many Believers today. There is a quickly growing movement right now of “glory chasers”. They walk down streets attempting to “blast” people with “Holy Spirit fire” and gather to “take glory shots” together in between. I see videos of “evangelists” getting so worked up and doing everything but tackling people in order that they get “impaled by the glory”. Now I may be wrong, but I just can’t envision Jesus walking up to the blind man, making mud in His hand with the dirt and spittle, slapping the guy’s face as He shouts “Fire! Fire! Fire!” as He shakes and convulses “under the power of the glory”. Can you? The power has nothing to do with us people! Let me put it like this, are the cables that run all over your house, channeling power into your home laboring and straining to carry that power to your appliances and electronics? Of course not. They are merely the conduit, the transfer mechanism – no effort is necessary. They don’t create the power, they simply deliver and distribute it. Likewise, we simply need to be connected to the power, Jesus Christ. The power and glory of Jesus was so incredible because He was so grounded in it, He was as connected as one could ever be – He exuded power and authority. Power is not power if it needs worked up and executed with any of my fleshly assistance. In John 9, Jesus wasn’t even around after the blind man washed in Siloam and when He healed the deaf man in Mark 7, “He took him aside from the multitude by himself”. Jesus needed no pomp and show to “release the glory” – it was simply who He was.

After watching a video of some prominent “glory evangelists” pass a “Jesus bong” inviting others to “get some glory” I was infuriated, then saddened. In seemingly more and more places, the glory of our Heavenly Father is being mocked and made to look like some flippant experience. The presence and glory of God is to be enjoyed yes, but we must never make light of it and allow it to lose its holiness and awe. The day God’s manifested glory and power becomes routine and light-hearted is, in my opinion, a sad day. Thankfully, God is patient and slow to anger. He will use our childlike faith and carry out His ultimate plan upon this earth, despite our inadequacies and foolishness. But that cannot be an excuse – we must be sure He gets all glory and that He alone is the focal point of every last detail.

So what is it that you’re running to? Do you need meetings and conferences to keep your spiritual motors running? Do you think that God is not moving in your area so you need to up and move off to find a revival somewhere? I’d encourage you to take your time to get with Him. Seek Him while He may be found right where you are. If He tells you to go here or there, by all means, go! But let’s not be glory chasers where spiritual immaturity leads us to believe that God is more concerned with our being “blasted” by His glory than intimately knowing Him. His radiant glory indwells me - it envelopes me! I am hidden with Christ therefore I needn't run to find what is already within me. Let us be a people that seek His face, not His hand. Glory encounters wear off, evangelists leave town, emotions wane and revivals end – the reality of Jesus indwelling you will always remain. Seek you first His Kingdom and His kingdom alone.