Soli Deo Gloria, abbrivated S.D.G. What is it? What does it mean? Have you ever given it much thought? I can honestly say that I have not, at least not with any deep thoughts as to the meaning. That changed last night when our pastor Brian Bell of Calvary Chapel Murrieta defined the meaning clearly in his sermon.
Soli Deo Gloria means "to the glory of God alone." Pastor Brian shared an interesting fact that some of the worlds most famous composers like 17th century German composer Johannes Sebastian Bach would inscribe the letters S. D. G. in the margins of his completed sheet music. You can see two examples of Bach's sheet music below.
Why would Bach, a composer at the very top of his field, write those three words on his completed works? He was, after all, very successful at what he did, but he knew that it was not about him. It is about giving glory to God!
Three powerful words and letters that say that it's not about you and it's not about me. God has given us life and allows us to breathe in the air that keeps us alive. When you really think about this, you begin to realize that God deserves for us to glorify Him through everything we do, including our work. It doesn't matter if you're a bus driver, a photographer, or a CEO of fortune 500 company. He deserves much more than all of our praise for what he has done for us.
So now I think I understand why Johannes Sebastian Bach wrote those powerful three words on his work. It's because he was working hard for an audience of one, God and God alone. He was motivated to composing to the best of his ability because God called on him to do so. Can we say the same? Are we doing our work in excellence unto Him? I know I fall short of that every day, but I will be striving to do so every day.
As we celebrate Christmas, the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, it's the perfect time to give glory to God alone for all He has done for us!
If you're anywhere near Murrieta California, come by and check out our awesome church.
Here a ink to our church site: Calvary Chapel Murrieta
S. D. G.
