A Life Worthy

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms… (Ephesians 3:10)

Really, God?

The Church?

I mean, far far far far far be it from me to question God’s wisdom, but does he really expect the Church to be the display of his great plan to the cosmos?

The Church. That’s us. You realize that, don’t you?

All the angels and heavenly beings are  looking at us to see the glory of his salvation worked out.

No pressure there.

Seriously–doesn’t God realize how pathetic the Church is? How we bicker and fight and whine and cheat and fumble and fail and fall?

I mean, of course he does, but still…

Beloved, I don’t see why God would choose to put us on display, knowing what he knows about us, but then I don’t understand a lot of what God does.

Which is fine, I guess.

The thing to remember is, God’s not worried about it. He isn’t concerned that somehow you or I or the Church in general is going to spoil his plans. In fact, I’m guessing that the interpersonal crunchiness that is so much a part of us is at the heart of his plan, as he shows the tremendous power of his grace over our own weakness.

Or something like that.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.

Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people…  (Ephesians 3:8)

But Paul…

For corn sake, you’re…you’re Paul! Paul the Apostle!  Whaddaya mean you are less than the least of God’s people?

Maybe Paul knew his own past, Beloved. Maybe he knew his own heart. Maybe he knew that whatever he looked like on the outside, inside he continued to struggle with thoughts and emotions and deeds that were downright not right.

And yet, he did not let that stop him  from serving his Lord, did he? And it certainly did not stop his Lord from using Paul, did it?

Beloved, don’t think too highly of yourself–you know you.

Beloved, don’t think too lowly of yourself–you are the child of the King.

Beloved, don’t think too often of yourself. That leaves more room for God to work, anyway.

Happy Friday, Beloved.

In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,  which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.  This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 3:4-6).

We’re in the club!

This news would have been mind-shattering to the Jews of Paul’s day. They had been taught for generations that Israel was God’s chosen people, the nation of promise. All others were…

Other.

But now Paul tells them that Israel is not simply a matter of geography or bloodline. It is a call of the heart. And God, in his incomprehensible mercy, has called the unlikeliest of hearts.

Hearts like yours

and

mine.

Rejoice, Beloved!

Happy Wednesday

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles…(Ephesians 3:1)

Paul wasn’t being metaphorical.

He was actually in prison.

Why? For preaching the Gospel.

That’s why Paul says he’s the prisoner of Christ, because he was following the call God had placed on his life, out of love for God and for those who deeply need God in their lives.

No, Beloved, the question is not whether you could endure prison for Christ’s sake. Of course you could.

The question is not whether you’re doing enough for him. Of course you’re not. You never will. Grace, remember?

No, the question is, are you content to live in obedience to him, whatever that may look like? I am quite sure that Paul’s life was not turning out the way he had envisioned, but it was the life he embraced, because it was the life he was led to by the One who knew him best and loved him most.

What is he leading you to? Are you following?

Happy Monday, Beloved.

In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord (Ephesians 2:21).

In him

Not just for him–though it is for him.

Not just to him–though it is to him.

In him

So…we are a temple to God, and the temple is in God, and Christ himself, who is God, is the foundation stone of the temple.

I don’t totally get it,

but

I like it.

I also like that, when you admire a building, you are admiring the entirety of it, not the individual pieces. I mean, you don’t usually hear someone exclaim, “Wow! Look at that brick!” or, “Hey, what a great slab of marble!” or, “Now that there’s a 2X4 if’n ever I seed one!”

Which means that if I, as brick #94738274, am a little wobbly or chipped or cracked or rough, it’ll be OK. I’m still part of something truly amazing. Something holy to the Lord of the Universe.

I’m not that important

and yet

I’m absolutely essential.

Yeah, I don’t totally get it,

but

I like it.

Happy Thursday, Beloved.