What does it mean to “glorify”?

I was pondering this word the other day for a rather unusual reason—a pop bottle. Not just any pop bottle, and no, not a “soda” bottle or a “Coke” bottle—but a very distinct...green glass bottle.

As the saying goes here in Kentucky, ‘Ginger ale dreams of becoming Ale-8.’ Where I grew up, we have this regional soft drink, and in my experience, you either love it or hate it. Unlike most ginger ales, it contains caffeine and a crisp flavor.

For a long time, the green glass bottles had the slogan “For Bracing Pep” on them, and even earlier than that was the phrase “It Glorifies”. In doing a little research, I came across a 1992 LA Times article that explained “[Ale-8’s] founder sought to hype the drink’s invigorating qualities.” It wasn’t just a refreshing beverage, it made you sparkle.

One day, as I sat in my Central Kentucky kitchen, enjoying a frosty Ale-8 (with a bag of Grippo’s barbecue chips, of course), I was contemplating vintage ads I had seen for the beverage and began thinking...how can a pop “glorify” anything?

The dictionary meaning of glorify is to elevate, magnify, to make something appear to be splendid or worthy of praise. In today’s world, we glorify a lot of things—success, appearances, even busyness. But the Lord calls us to something higher.

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. —1 Corinthians 6:20

Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me. —Psalm 50:23

It’s easy to think about giving God glory when we are praising Him in song, whether at church or just humming in our car. Or perhaps when we receive an answer to prayer and exclaim “Praise the Lord!”—that certainly feels like giving Him glory.

But how can we give God glory in all of the whatsoevers?

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. —1 Corinthians 10:31

We glorify Him not only in worship, but also in the everyday things:

When we pray over our children as we fold their laundry...When we choose to have patience with a difficult loved one...When we speak a kind word instead of complaining...

We can do all to the glory of God.

To glorify Him is to live, not in a way that draws attention to ourselves, but in a way that reflects Him. When we demonstrate His kindness, mercy, patience, and compassion to others, we make the Lord shine.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven. —Matthew 5:16

That old Ale-8 slogan promised a sparkling pep that would eventually fade as quickly as the fizz in the bottle. But when our lives are surrendered to the Lord, He can fill us with a joy that won’t go flat. When we radiate with His love, we can make our Savior look splendid to a lost and dying world.

So I find myself asking—if a soft drink can boast ‘It glorifies,’ how much more should we, the redeemed of the Lord, glorify Him? Lord, how can my actions shine a little more sparkle on You and less on me?

May it be said of us, not just as a slogan, but as a testimony:She glorifies.

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