A Journey Through Ephesians… 1:7-11

If you are just now tuning in… we are scribing our way through the book of Ephesians. Grab a pen and write out the scriptures. Reflect on every word, letter, meaning, phrase. What jumps off the page to you?

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ – everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. 1:7-11

I just sat and read this passage over and over. And with every reading, I take a deeper sigh of relief.

This world is a mess. An absolute mess.

Basically – We broke earth.

Broke it.

Just now I typed out how I see brokenness on a DAILY basis… but deleted. It was just too much. I couldn’t stop. I could have typed and typed and typed all the hurt, sadness, confusion, sin, destruction, poverty, anger, injustice, fear etc, etc etc I see in this world – but it was unnecessary. We all know it.

But…we all love a good “but God,” don’t we?!… at the right time He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ – everything on heaven and earth.

Deep. Breath.

Wait there’s more…because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

Deep. Breath.

Why? Why would he do this? I mean, we’ve HURT HIM. We’ve turned FROM HIM. God has given us everything we need through Jesus Christ to stick the landing here and we keep sinning and turning away. WHY would he even give us a second glance?

Because He is SO RICH IN KINDNESS. And – flash back to yesterday – because HE WANTED TO DO THIS – to “fulfill his own good pleasure.“

So here is my reflection question and where I will end today…. WHY would we not SHOWER KINDNESS SO UNDESERVINGLY on others when GOD HIMSELF is SO abundant with kindness and grace towards us? And next, HOW can we SHOWER MORE today?

Honest question for consideration.

God, I am so so thankful for your mercy and grace. You give us wisdom and understanding. You sent your Son Jesus to DIE so you could fulfill this plan of bringing everything together under His authority. You just want to set it all right. And I am so thankful you do because we are just a mess down here. I can wait on this because I KNOW you tell NO LIES… these verses WILL come to pass. I resolve to show the same kindness and grace to others that you have shown to us. Help me to do this, Lord. Oh I praise you for this GLORIOUS GRACE. You are my HOPE, Jesus. Everything WILL be ok because of YOU… and its in Your Name I pray, Amen.