Made Holy by the Blood
Ephesians 1:3-8
Several years ago, I was given an amazing opportunity to paint for the Lord. I was super overwhelmed by the opportunity and couldn’t figure out, “why me?” in a good way. I was alone, working in a very hot and dusty garage, tears streaming down my face overwhelmed by gratitude. I found myself asking the question, “Lord, why me? Why did you choose me to receive this honor?”
This is one of the only times I remember hearing an audible voice. It startled me, but I distinctly heard the Lord say these words, “For my good pleasure.” I was stunned! Not only did He honor me with a great blessing, but He also spoke to me directly. I’ve reflected on that amazing gift over the years, but never did I see those exact words in scripture. Words like it, but not verbatim, until today. Reading this passage, I was reminded of the Lords heart for me all those many years ago. Because He’s the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, His words to me apply as much to me and my situation today as they did back then.
I’m used to the conditional love of people. I’ll love you and approve of you if… Can’t you feel it when people hear of your failures and shortcomings. I’m treated differently regardless of their take on Christ. I can feel it. Somehow, most of the time their energy shifts and the flow of love coming from them stops, however minutely the break. It might start up again, or it might not. My point is, we are human and can only present the Spirit to others to the degree that we’ve allowed Him to heal the fractures in our souls. I can only believe and experience His love and redemption if I am allowing Him to be true and every man a liar. I have to choose to believe Him whether I feel it or not.
Knowing, really knowing the He sees and loves the innermost parts of me; that He loves me just as much today as He does when I fail, is the key to my healing and freedom through Christ. It then I can accept the truth of what’s communicated here: All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So, we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
Today, let me soak in the truth of His love for me. That His love is for good days, bad days, good choices and bad. That I am still the apple of His eye and the spring in His step. That if I had been the only person on earth that day and crucified Him with my own hands, He would have still chosen me, loved me and redeemed ME. Let me be bathed in my own tears of gratitude and love for a King who loves me unconditionally.