Ephesians

The past year has been really spiritually dry for me. I think this has stemmed from busyness (with a tunnel-visioned focus), challenges with some accompanying baggage and spiritual disillusionment, as well as downright disobedience - so mostly for self-induced reasons I think - for God is ready all the while to make our lives spiritually rich if we pursue him, yes?

Last night, my small group family wanted to discuss "how we were doing." My heart kind of sunk. Neither thrilled by the idea of opening myself up nor prepared to consider my heart (with which I have been recently disconnected), I wanted to discuss "how I was doing" like I wanted a nail in my foot.

But discuss we did - for about an hour...for 5 people. I was struck by how much crap is going on under the surface all the time among people we think we know pretty well. We are usually content to just push these areas of pain and struggle under the rug of our clean clothes, polished shoes, and churchy smiles. I have been blessed with a really transparent group of believers this year. Their authenticity breeds mine and it is so refreshing to acknowledge and work through our "crap" together.

So we discussed how we were. There were no answers but there were shared experiences and encouragements. Exhausted by our sin but refreshed by community and forgiveness/acceptance therein, we read through Ephesians, Paul's (God's) letter to the Church at Ephesus on how to live.

I was so blessed by how transcendent the Bible is. If that is not reason enough for this doubting spirit to believe on and live for Christ, I do not know what is. "God's Word is living & active," my buddy reminded me. Sharper than any double-edged sword, these words pierced to the heart of where the Ephesians were and to where I stand today. Ephesians is really just a beautiful guidebook for life, authored by God and forever applicable to people while on Earth.

Thank God for His Word. Thank God for community.

I encourage you to read this letter again. Know it. Live it. Love it.