I recently wrote a post about being STUCK and this has prompted an ongoing process of personal heart searching. Although this heart searching is not so much about how well I do but the focus of my attention is on all that He is, has done and is doing.
SET OUR HEARTS
I’ve been rereading Paul’s letter to the ‘saints’ in Ephesus. ‘Saint’ is a word that seems dated or misplaced in our society relegating it to meaning those icons who stand watch over us in stain glass windows. But, let’s start by recognising that being a saint is God’s gift and not a title given by men and women. Have you noticed how often Paul uses this word in his letters to the churches. Let’s accept then that a saint is ‘God’s set apart one’ It is God’s gift in Jesus to all those who have been set free, rescued from the power of sin and death. We don’t make ourselves saints by achieving any goals or being exceptional. It is God’s pure gift!
PILGRIMAGE
I ask myself, is my heart still set on pilgrimage after years of walking with Him or have I been distracted from moving forward into God’s best for my life? Paul makes a radical statement which may be worth us all reading afresh.
“Praise be to the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed me in the heavenly realms, with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” [1] Again, pure gift! But what does this mean for a disciple of Jesus?
I pray that I would receive all that God in Christ has declared me to be. All that He has declared His Church to be! By receiving His gift, freely given in Jesus!
Am I still wholeheartedly following Jesus today as His disciple, seeing His way as a Life filled adventure or am I slowly stagnating in sameness, routine and mediocrity?
OPENED EYES
When I consider this second statement by Paul to saints in Ephesus I feel deeply honoured and grateful. I glimpse my true identity.
“I pray also that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened in order that I may know the hope to which He has called me, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” [2]
Jesus has made a way for each of us to experience the immensity of His grace, described by Peterson as “God’s take your breath away energy,” [3] and power, moving us on in His ways. What extravagant and lavish love! And this same extravagant love has the power to free us from being stuck!
DO I WANT WHAT HE WANTS?
I find these statements, discovered by Paul in prayer, helpful. If Jesus is LORD of my life then I want what He wants and the joy that He pours out of His grace, helps each one of us to be what He calls us to be. He has not left us to live this life alone but faithfully comes alongside to encourage, sustain and strengthen each one of us. What a remarkable and reliable promise.
By God’s grace we will not become stuck in dull routine but rather choose the Jesus way. By His grace alone we will resist trying harder, keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus, enthusiastically love God with a full heart and be sensitive to every prompting of the holy Spirit.
[1] Ephesians 1:3 NIV The prayer text has been ‘personalised’ to make it real.
[2] Ephesians 1:18 NIV
[3] Practice Resurrection – Eugene Peterson p. 62
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