A Life Worthy

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air… (Ephesians 2:2)

You used to live for yourself.

You used to do what you wanted, be who you wanted.

You used to sit on the throne of your own life.

I mean, that’s what you thought.

Paul reminds us that we were never really in charge. That “freedom” that we thought we had was a lie. We served the king of the air, just as surely as if we had been chained. Like inmates in an asylum, we strutted around as if we wore crowns instead of straight jackets.

Toward the end of her life, my grandmother lived in a nursing home. Her dementia caused her to think that she was living on a cruise ship, traveling to exotic places and feasting at the finest tables. We ran with that because…why not? There was no convincing her otherwise, and her fantasy beat her reality by a large margin. Still, it was sad to see someone we loved lost in a lie.

Beloved, you are going to meet people today who are trapped in the lie. They serve the king of the air, though they don’t realize it.

Do not mock.

Do not despise.

Have mercy, even as our Lord has mercy, and remember that you once wore those same chains.

And, but for grace, you would wear them still.

Happy Monday, Beloved.

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way (Ephesians 1:23).

The world is hungry

empty  

hollow 

barren

vain

pointless

purposeless

desolate

But it doesn’t have to be.

You know the One who filled the void

in the cosmos

and in your heart

with light.

And you are his hands and his feet in the world today.

You are full, Beloved.

Spill a little.

Happy Thursday

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church…(Ephesians 1:22)

It’s not only that he’s in charge of us.

He’s in charge for us.

God placed his only Son over his most precious creation,

to guard us

and guide us

and bring us home to the Father.

Imagine if the Father had gone a different direction. I mean, he could have put me in charge. I guarantee you, that would have resulted in a lot less grace, and a lot more lightening.

Probably better not to imagine, after all.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved

That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come (Ephesians 1:19-21).

That power

the power that raised Christ

and destroyed death

forever 

is the same power 

that is at work 

in you

today.  

Now…go take care of business.

Happy Friday, Beloved

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe(Ephesians 1:19).

You really can’t imagine how much power God has.

You wanna try? Fine. 

Ready….go!

Yeah, well, he’s got more than that.

Which is a really good thing, because you’re weak.

It’s OK, Beloved.  I’m weak, too.  As a matter of fact, when it comes to spiritual matters I’m kind of pathetic.  I try to be strong, and on occasion I pull off a good imitation of strength, but in my heart I know the truth.  I just don’t have the power to be the man I know God has called me to be.

Sound familiar?  No?  You’ve got life perfectly well handled on your own?

Oh, well…then I just feel silly.

Fortunately for me, God does not require me to supply the go-juice for my spiritual walk, any more than I had to redeem myself or find God on my own.  His is the power to get me where he wants me to go.  

He has made us many promises, Beloved.

And he has the power to back them up.

Happy Wednesday