epiphanies on Ephesians.

Hmmmm...what to write about. That's what I'm thinking right now as I find myself in my room, trying to find something to do. I guess that's what happens when you work two summer jobs-when you have time to just sit back and relax, you aren't really sure what to do with yourself.
As you now know, I'm a huge journaler (if that's a word). I love recording my life as it progresses. Most (if not all) of my entries are prayers. However, lately I've started to write down my thoughts on the scripture passages that I'm currently areading. So now, I'll page through them and look for any nuggets of wisdom or, epiphanies.

Here's some thoughts I had on Ephesians:

Ephesians 1:13 says, "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit."
I love that word-seal. It brings to mind the old fashioned candle-wax and pretty seal maker thingy. Or better yet, the moment when Mr. Darcy seals his letter to Elizabeth explaining his relationship with Wickham and his interference with Bingley and Jane (after proposing himself to Ms. Bennet). But that's besides the point. A seal is a mark of ownership-of identification. This brings me comfort. Once we believe in Jesus, we're His. We belong to Him and He lovingly provides for us through the Holy Spirit. All that from one verse. Let's see what else.

Ephesians 2:10: "We are God's workmanship". God is constantly working on us-we are His art piece-thesis-creation. It would be foolish to try and live outside of our artist's purpose for us. Also, because we're God's workmanship, it means that we're not done. We're still alive, thus, we're still being molded into who He wants us to be. This creation is a continual process. This gives me hope, because it means that when I'm having a low day at work or a stressful day in relationships, He's continually working in me and around me in order to mold me into who He created me to be. As long as I live in surrender to his plan, I can improve and there is hope for me.

Ephesians 2:4: "But because of His rich love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved." I think it's important to note in this verse that it says "even when we were dead". This means that while we were sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). He didn't wait until we got our act together or cleaned up our mess-He saved us when we most needed to be saved. What this means to me, is that Jesus won't give up on us. He was there when we were at our lowest point, and He'll continue to save us in order to draw us into Him.

Ephesians 2:19: "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household...with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone." Jesus accepts us. YAY! Seriously, that's what we all want. Our innermost desire is to belong-to be loved-to be accepted. And Jesus accepts us, so that's cause for celebration.

We belong to Jesus. He is working in us. He saves us. He accepts us. Four truths that are pivotal in our lives today. If we believe these-if we actually take them to heart-so many of our problems would be vanquished. The pursuit of love and/or attention from others. Our depression at how slow and meaningless our life seems. These would go away if we only trusted in Jesus and these truths. And if they didn't go away completely, that would be okay because we would know that Jesus is still working in us.

So that's what I got for today. I thoroughly enjoyed Ephesians, and unbelievably, I have even more notes and thoughts on this book of the Bible. I encourage you to read it, and comment below with any thoughts on this one of Paul's multiple letters.