Above & Beyond
Shorter devotional today. I am playing with some formats. Feedback appreciated!
Today, let’s read Ephesians 3 together. [Read Ephesians 3]
You may already know this, but four of Paul’s Epistles (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, & Philemon) were composed while Paul was weathering his imprisonment. I’ve been reflecting a great deal on these writings as I’ve felt imprisoned by the current circumstances. And I’m sure I’m not alone.
We seem to be experiencing our own imprisoning in the literal sense, aren’t we? Many of us are limited in our mobility (at least those who respect others around us). We’re also almost certainly confined in the metaphorical sense. Our lives are enduring constant disruption, and we feel chained in place. Unable to go forward or backward due to life’s current grief. Many of us have lost jobs and have missed opportunities, shaken to our core. Do you feel like every time you try to move, you risk suffocating? I know I do.
Paul is trapped; Quite literally shackled to his Roman captors. Yet his writings provide uplifting joy and peace. And a healthy amount of doctrine for the modern church (but let’s not get into that now). Why is this? How does he have such hope in the midst of his obvious situation? How does he remain strong amid the bleak weather?
Paul clues us into his source:
“though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things…” (Ephesians 3:8-9)
First, Paul acknowledges his position in the kingdom. He is “the very least of all the saints.” As a former enemy of Christianity, he had more reasons than any to marvel at the grace he experienced. Sometimes, fixing our perspective is all we need to toil further in life. We deserve nothing, so anything we get is worthy of praise! It seems dark, but hang on. It gets better.
Second, Paul holds tight to his purpose, “to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone.” This is “good news” for everyone! And everyone needs to hear it! The Kingdom of God is at hand, and Paul understands he’s truly blessed to be a bearer of the news. And, more importantly, it’s our purpose too!
Reread the next verse:
“through the church, the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known” (Ephesians 3:10)
That’s us! Regardless of where the hearts of humanity turn or where their attention lies, God has been and always will be channeling his work in the world through his church. Through us, and only us. The church is the only entity mentioned here, meaning by no other method can the good news be conveyed to the world. Perhaps different facets of humanity have their roles to play, but the main thing happening in the world right now, and at all times, is what Jesus Christ is doing in and through his church.
Could our disheartened countenance be due to unnecessary focus? More to the point, would our hearts turn to joy if we realigned that focus onto what truly matters? True, the circumstances will likely remain the same. But happiness, if dependent on our state of affairs, is never truly happy at all. And I wonder if the reason many of us aren’t able to correct course when life throws us off balance is due to misapplied faith; That our source is in anything else but the kingdom of heaven.
We are God’s people, united in Christ, all part of a collective lens through which God focuses his gaze on the world. Elevating our perspective beyond merely what’s happening at the moment might help us push forward. Perhaps we might be, as Paul writes:
“...strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have the strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19)
When Christ dwells in our hearts, and when we are truly rooted and grounded in love, we will have the strength to fully comprehend the width, length, height, and depth of Christ’s love for us, his bride. Such a complete comprehension will almost certainly overwhelm and may help repair our limited outlooks of life. Paul confirms later on what a life that genuinely internalizes such things would resemble. A glorious church and glorious people. United under the banner of the beautiful savior. And it’s all because of a wonderful God who is, as scripture reminds us:
“...able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 4:20-21)
He is a God able to do “exceedingly abundantly above and beyond" all that we ask or think. This verse isn’t about gaining material comfort, nor is it about worldly success. It’s about us as the church and what God can do through us. Take a dream of your purpose and our purpose in God, and imagine above and beyond. Because that’s what he’s able to do. And there lies our hope.
Coronavirus has nothing on the Lord. Churches open and close all the time, but the church never fades. And whatever the current days tell us, our God is far above and far beyond. I trust that he’ll take care of my house as I take care of his. As we strive to build the kingdom, we believe all our needs are taken care of in Jesus’ name.
The church will endure, as it has before. And as its representatives, we will never be destroyed. Beyond my faith Lord, let your kingdom come, and your will be done. Let this time not be in vain as we strive towards the future. Let’s represent Christ to everyone that witnesses us. Doing so, we ensure the gates of hell will not prevail.
Our strength is in the God of above and beyond. Above our finite perspectives and beyond his infinite capabilities. This is our hope, one I pray we may be able to live in without wavering.
-RJ