In today’s blog post I could say so much on “SDG.” Yet, I dare not take away from the simplicity and power of these three letters.

In an earlier blog post, I shared I’ve been reading the book, ” All In, by National Community Church Pastor Mark Batterson of Washington, D.C. The book’s premise encourages an “all or nothing” lifestyle Christians should pursue for God. Chapter 12 is simply entitled “SDG.” I wondered, “What is ‘SDG’?” As I read further, I learned that the famous 17th century German composer Johannes Sebastian Bach, whose body of work includes 256 cantatas, would inscribe the letters “SDG” in the margins of his sheet music completed. The three letters stood for the Latin phrase, Soli Deo Gloria— which means “to the glory of God alone.” My body tingled with good goosebumps as I digested this meaning.

Three powerful words and letters that say “it’s not about you. It’s not about me.” It’s about Him, and Him alone. No matter what God has called us to, we are to do it in excellence, unto Him. Our work should be motivated not for applause but for the cause in which we serve. What if we all serve each other in this manner? What if we set aside egos, selfish ambitions, and titles? What if we live not for the audience’s applause but for the audience of The One,  Jesus Christ; the applause from nail-scarred hands?

Praise God for the air I breathe that I can say, “Soli Deo Gloria—to the glory of God alone” in all that I do.  He deserves every ounce of my praise and more for the things He has done. One day all creatures in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and even the rocks will cry out and rejoice, “Soli Deo Gloria.”