Ephesians 1:11-12
It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
When we were in high school, there was a big pep rally and bonfire the night before one of the football games. I was a freshman… and a majorette in the marching band. Greg was a senior…and a student assistant for the football team. He says he spotted me in the firelight… and that after that night, he had his eye on me. That was forty-two years ago! I knew Greg’s name and who he was… I’d seen him at school and riding his motorcycle around town. But I didn’t really know anything about him. A few weeks later, we had our first date…and after that, we were pretty much inseparable.
I find it amazingly wonderful that long before we were even aware of each other, God was orchestrating our life together…that He had designs for “glorious living” for us as a couple. Even more incredible is the realization that long before I was born, God had “designs for glorious living” for me… and an overall purpose that He was working out in everything and everyone around me. And the coolest part of all is that He was doing the same things for you and countless others as well! As this scripture tells us, long before we ever even were born - certainly well before we first heard about Jesus - He was thinking of us… planning for our future… orchestrating everything perfectly.
When you think about your relationship to Jesus in this manner, doesn’t it make sense to live with hope? When you realize that long before you were even born God had His eye on you - was planning for your glorious living - does it give you a reason to face whatever challenges and struggles you may be given… with confidence that He will work out everything for His overall perfect purpose? Don’t you feel energized and encouraged to know that you are loved and cared for so deeply? Doesn’t this give you hope for the future?
The God who can orchestrate the firelight so that the face of a 14-year-old girl catches the eye of a 17-year-old boy can surely shine a light on your future and the steps you need to take to accomplish His purpose. The God who can plan so carefully for every aspect of your life… Who can even set your future mate in your path…can certainly line up the events of your days and show you the right choices to make. The God who loved you enough to send Jesus Christ to earth to live and die for your sins close to 2000 years before you were born can surely handle whatever “life” tosses your way today… and in the days ahead.
This is GOOD NEWS… HOPEFUL news! Do you know who you are and what you are living for in Jesus Christ? Isn’t it time you figured it out? Are you ready to face the future with hope and confidence that He has your back? Will this be the day you begin?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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