All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else.” vs. 3
Ephesians 2:1-3
When the writer of Ephesians penned this letter he made no distinction between himself and those he was addressing. All were in the same boat, all were following the desires of their flesh and senses, and they were dead to the riches God had for them. Now that may seem like a harsh thing to say, but in actuality, that’s not a bad place to start. Jesus himself says that losing one’s life is the first step in discovering new life. In order for the Christ that is in us to take root and flourish something has to die. That’s how a seed grows–the old hull rots away and the fresh shoots spring forth. The problem is that some never recognize how rotten and misdirected their lives are. They don’t even know that they’re wasting the riches of God’s goodness on shallow trivialities that masquerade as accomplishment in the world. What will wake people up? Paul got a visit from the Risen Christ–and sometimes we do too. No one can tell what life event will be the death of us and the signal that we’ve reached wit’s end. Everyone one’s bottom is different–and some go skating along on thin ice for a lifetime. But for those who do wake up, the results are astounding, and we wonder why it took us so long to smell the roses of grace, joy, love, and life.
Thought for the Day: When was my “bottoming out”?
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