Run

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…” (Ephesians 1:3)

Every? Like, right now I currently own EVERY spiritual blessing? There isn’t more spiritual blessing that I get at a later date? When I’m empty there isn’t a spout I can get under for more “spiritual blessing?” What if I don’t feel anything? What if I feel anything but spiritually blessed? What if I am drawing a blank when it comes to “all that He’s done for me.”

I know this feeling well, and if you are like me, you may be asking this question: “If this is true, that every spiritual blessing is mine, then what in the world does that mean? Can someone help me see through the abyss that lies between the way that I feel and this so called, ‘blessing’ that I have in Christ.”

Friends, take heart and get ready to be encouraged, because the letter to the church in Ephesus was written to folks like you and me who also struggled to see it. And in epic, Paulian, run-on fashion, the verses that follow the third shine a light into the abyss. They remind us that right now we are:

Chosen before the foundation of the world

Blameless before Him

Loved to the uttermost

Predestined for rescue

Adopted in as family

Forgiven from every sin

Redeemed by the blood of Christ

Enlightened to the mystery of His will

United in Him

Heirs of God

Saved by grace

Sealed by the promised Holy Spirit

Recipients of an eternal inheritance

(Ephesians 1:4-14)

If any list is going to help us “lift our hands for all that He’s done,” that one will do the trick, right? Well, maybe not. If you have put your faith in the perfect work of Christ to save you, that list is TRUE of you today, but it still may not chase away the cloud that is resting over your head and heart. Why?

We can’t see.

Oh, we can read, and we sure can put on the right Christian hat and act like we are “blessed,” but if we are honest, inside we feel quite the opposite. It’s almost like God knows us or something, because look where he goes in the following verses as Paul prays for the church:

“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,  having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe…” (Ephesians 1:16-19)

He helps us see when we ask! He gives us the “Spirit of wisdom and revelation” to see and know Him. When we ask, He untangles the knots of doubt and gives us faith to believe the things that are true! It could be a good thing today for us to change our prayers for more of Him to prayers to see and comprehend all that we already have in Him.

Brothers! Sisters! – You are free to run today! “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence!” (2 Peter 1:3) You may not feel like it, but you don’t need to! You will never be more loved by the Father than you are today. You will never be more blessed than you are today. RUN! And be encouraged that running should feel like – well, running. A marathon, which is the kind of running we are called to in this life, is long, exhausting, and extremely difficult. It is filled with moments of inspiration, but mostly it is a beating of one’s body for the sake of the prize. He is your prize. He will never leave you or forsake you on your “run” today! And as you “Run” to His goodness, pay attention because it is right beside you! (Psalm 23:6) Dance in the Presence of God Who has chosen to take up residence IN YOU! And SING for all that He has done for you!

“Because your love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
I will bless you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.”

- Psalm 63:3-5