This article appears in the Fall 2025 issue of the FCA Donor Publication. The FCA publication is a gift from our FCA staff to all donors giving $50 or more annually. For more information about giving, visit here.
Glory is an interesting thing.
By dictionary definition, it is “honor, praise and recognition given for notable achievements” — something many strive to obtain in response to their good works.
In the mind of man, glory is a thing to possess. But by biblical definition, glory is multi-faceted. First, it’s a word used to describe the splendor and majesty of God’s presence. Secondly, it describes the radiance of that splendor appearing through His creation. And lastly, it speaks to the honor we give back to the Lord through obedience, worship and praise.
In the mind of Christ, glory is not a thing to possess, but a gift to return to its Giver. Somewhat inexplicably, although glory is not our own, we are graciously welcomed to encounter it. It’s a thing to behold, to be radically transformed by and to bestow back to the One to whom it belongs.
In simple terms, when we encounter the glory of God, it radically transforms us. As we live as faithful vessels through which His glory can shine, people are impacted by His Spirit and, in turn, give God all glory, honor and praise for His goodness! When they seek to glorify us, we know where the glory rightfully belongs and we direct all worship to the One who is actually worthy to be praised.
All glory and honor and praise belong to the Lord. “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:36).
God’s glory changes us. We encounter Him and yield our will to His will. And any good thing that flows from us or impacts others is by His Spirit. Therefore, all glory is returned to Him, giving credit where credit is due.
So why does this biblical concept of glory seem challenging for many leaders to grasp? Because in a world of glory-chasers, a leader building a lasting legacy must be willing to stay in step with the Holy Spirit, however fast or slow that pace may be. A lasting legacy builder seeks to think the way God thinks, thus making decisions that may confound the mind of man.
Many in the world hustle, grind and strive toward glory at an energetic pace. But Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain.” And Isaiah 42:8 reads, “I am the Lord. That is my name, and I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.” Therefore, any glory we obtain by our own volition is at best counterfeit, fleeting glory, or, at worst, stolen glory where the created thing is demanding the worship that is owed to the Creator. We must be careful not to idolize the world’s acknowledgment, trading lasting glory for a plastic replica that will certainly burn up when the Refiner’s fire judges how we stewarded our lives.
No, a leader building a lasting legacy understands that only works conceived by the Holy Spirit will truly impact the lives of others for God’s glory, both now and for eternity. A leader focused on cultivating a lasting legacy knows the hidden place of prayer is more glorious than the podium. They know the discipline of fasting and studying the Word is the truest form of training the body. They know that apart from walking in obedience and direction from the Spirit of God Himself, they can accomplish no good thing.
A lasting legacy is marked by a leader who is willing to become invisible behind the very presence of the Lord — one who is more than grateful for their name to fade into history over time while the testimonies of what the Lord did through their life grow in influence. Lasting glory is cultivated when people think of your leadership and instantaneously shift to adoration of the One you represented and served.
Yes, glory is an interesting thing. In the mind of man, it’s a thing to possessed, but in the mind of Christ, it’s a gift to return to its Giver.
Prayer: God, You alone deserve the glory. May my life reflect glory back to You so that Your name is praised. In Jesus' name, amen.
BIO: Mo (Isom) Aiken is a New York Times bestselling author, a nationally sought-after speaker and a Holy Spirit-filled Kingdom warrior who isn’t afraid to speak bold, raw, courageous truth. Mo was an All-American soccer goalkeeper at LSU and the first female to train with and try out for an Southeastern Conference football team. Through the years, she has written three books, ministered domestically and abroad, and engaged with millions in digital spaces to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She and her husband, Jeremiah, have four faith-filled children and over the last five years, their mission-minded family lived fully mobile in an RV, serving and ministering in 48 U.S. states and abroad in Lagos, Nigeria for a discipleship sabbatical where they helped plant a globally reaching church. Learn more about Mo at moisom.com or on Instagram @moisom.
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