Out of Darkness Into the Light

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

I like what Paul is doing in this verse. He is adoring God for the favor He has bestowed upon us in giving to us all the benefits of being in Christ. The first chapter of Ephesians is an incredible list of God-given possessions and positions in Christ. It is our answer to any feelings of insignificance, deprivation, loneliness, distress, disappointment, depression, and self-condemnation we hang on to or accept from the enemy.

Last night a cloud of darkness hung over me that was so thick I could feel it. It enveloped me and threatened to strangle every part of me. Joy was gone, hope was elusive, acceptance was unfelt, and my inner world seemed shaky. I found myself drawing conclusions and making plans that were all headed in the wrong direction. No peace. No spirit of thankfulness. No walk of victory. It is not a place I enjoy being in.

God’s intent is that I see it for what it is (an attack) and I grab hold of the life line He extends to me. This morning that life line was the first chapter of Ephesians and the phrase “in Christ.” My hope, my strength, my forgiveness, my salvation, my growth, my fellowship, my wisdom, my joy, my direction, my fullness, my significance, my identity, my purpose, my life are ALL found in Christ. When people cannot be to me what I want them to be, when circumstances are not the way I want them to be, when dreams are not realized, when disappointments come, when tears flow, when darkness descends I must once again climb into the truth that I am in Christ and everything I want and need is found in Him!

God wants me to see that when I look outside of Him to get my needs met I will always come away disappointed. He has kind intentions toward me and lavishes me with grace, forgiveness, mercy, love, and attention. I am His treasured possession whom He chose before the foundations of the world. A nobody? Absolutely not! Insignificant? No way! Forgotten? Never! This morning He is reminding me that the greatness of His power is at work in me. All the change is coming from Him. I am His work of art and He is not finished yet!

Father, last night it was dark. Today I walk in the light which is so bright I am squinting! Thank you for pulling me up once again. Amen.