Ephesians 3
This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words,
a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ.
In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:
that is, the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the same
body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power.
Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to
me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ,
and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things;
so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might
now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,
in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
I pray therefore that you may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory.
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.
I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you
may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit,
and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.
I pray that you may have the power 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, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever.
This passage from Ephesians is one that means a great deal to me. So much so that I will carry it with me forever...on the side of my calf that is. It is important to me because it is a reminder of my calling. To be a servant of the gospel of Jesus Christ for all people. The Gospel that is love and proclamation of justice. This passage is not just a reminder but it continuously humbles me because it clearly declares that this calling is not superficial but it is of God, from God, and in God. This is a calling given by the power of God in accordance with the grace of God!! How powerful, how amazing, how humbling, how awesome a calling is this?? Too many times I find myself wandering around wondering what is coming next...
In the last two months I left seminary, moved to Louisville and then to Arkansas, have bought a house and am reapplying to seminary. I have no job and feel at times like I am wandering aimlessly in the world. Then I look down at my calf and am reminded I am a servant of this gospel, according to the grace of God given to me by the working of his power!
This journey to Arkansas has been crazy. Had you told me even 6 months ago I would end up here I would have laughed! But my fiancé and I have prayed and communicated and explored all of the possibilities that were in our path and God led us to Arkansas. I still wake up at times and wonder what am I doing? Why did I ever leave seminary? Why Arkansas? But I am called to be a servant of the gospel as much here in Arkansas as I was in Austin, Hanover, or Louisville.
I am longing to be back in a theological classroom. I long to be back in the pulpit. These things will come. Until then I am embracing Arkansas. I am embracing the outdoors and am spending my time planning a wedding and picking paint colors for our house. I am learning to slow down and I am enjoying the quiet time I have. Soon enough I will be in a classroom being fed again, until then God has me where God wants me. Making neighbors and friends. Learning more about myself and preparing to spend the rest of my life with the man I love and for now that is okay...I am still a servant of the gospel of Jesus Christ and I am enjoying the ride we are on.
Peace be within you,
Krista
No comments:
Post a Comment