Called – Into Wisdom
Ephesians 3
Lent, Week 3
Read Ephesians, Chapter Three.
Listen especially to the following words:
“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.” (vs. 8)
Jason McElwain was a 17-year-old senior at Greece Athena High School in Greece, N.Y. He had been the faithful manager and constant motivator of his basketball team throughout high school. He was also autistic. Before his team’s final home game the coach told Jason to suit up, and with four minutes to go, the coach put Jason in. It was his first and only chance to play for the team he loved.
In those final few minutes, the crowd, the team, and the coach watched in amazement as the 5-foot-6-inch manager sunk six three-point shots and a two-pointer before being carried off the court on the shoulders of his thrilled teammates. There wasn’t a dry eye in the arena. And as this young man gained national attention for his amazing feat, his excitement was not just for himself, but for his team. “I just want to win as a team, not individually,” he said.
“Although I am the very least of all the saints…”
In this third chapter of Ephesians, the writer reminds us that God’s grace is given to everyone and that each of us has an important part in God’s plan for Creation. It is through this "rich variety" (vs. 10) that God’s wisdom is made known.
We then move into what is called “Paul’s Prayer.”
And what does Paul pray for?
1. Strength – not the physical kind of strength we associate with that word, but an inner strength grounded in the love of Christ; and
2. Wisdom – to understand the breadth, length, height and depth of that love.
These are words we all need to hear, for each of us feels “the very least” in this large, complicated and sometimes overwhelming world. We can always find those who are more gifted, more educated, more insightful, more knowledgeable than we are. And yet … God doesn’t see us as "least" or "best" or "greatest." But God sees each of us as beloved children – grace-filled and chosen.
Why is it so hard for us to do the same?
With that as our perspective, we must view all people in a new light – honoring the grace of God within them and allowing their gifts to strengthen the Body of Christ as a whole.
For God can take our meager gifts, our insufficient wisdom and our very human lives and can accomplish far more than we could ever imagine.
“For 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, forever and ever. Amen.” (vs. 20-21)
May it be so, dear Lord. May it be so.
Questions to ponder:
1. Do you ever feel as though you are the “very least?” What brings those feelings about? Why does envy and rivalry find such an easy place in our lives, along with feelings of inadequacy and lack of self-worth?
2. What does it say about your relationship with God to know that God doesn’t see us as least or best or greatest?
3. Who seems to be “least” in your life right now that you could bring the Good news of God’s love to?
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Lenten Devotional, Week 2
Called – To Be One
Ephesians 2
Lent, Week 2
Read Ephesians, Chapter Two.
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility. … So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” (Ephesians 2:13-14, 19)
Powerful words.
Now go back. Read them again. But this time, read them aloud and read them slowly.
“… far off …” There are many ways of being "far off."
Several weeks ago the Fargo area was shocked to learn that a homeless man had been found frozen to death on the steps of the Roman Catholic Bishop’s home. He had been a frequent visitor there and had often received food and help from the Diocese. But that night, no one was home, and as the temperatures dipped below zero and the knocks on the door went unanswered, there must have been no other place for this man to go. So he lay down on the steps and never awoke.
Friends, there are many ways of being "far off." We’ve all experienced it - and we’ve all seen it:
We live in a world where all too often we allow what divides us to define us. Rich or poor? Democrat or republican? Young or old? Conservative or liberal? Clergy or laity? Male or female? Tall or short?
We define ourselves by these divisive labels and we find our place in the culture and system through them.
But listen again to Ephesians 2:
“For he (Christ) is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility.”
What would it look like if we defined ourselves not by what divides us, but instead by what unites us?
“Christ … has made us both one.”
“Christ … has broken down the dividing walls … “
“Christ is our peace.”
Christ didn’t die for just one group. He died for us all.
This Lenten season – and particularly this week in Lent – pray for unity.
Pray daily that through the cross of Christ each of us might find our “one-ness”.
Pray that as we are called to Christ, Christ then calls us to each other.
Questions to ponder:
1. In what area in your life do you feel “far off” and separated from others right now? Who do you know that also might be living “far off” from a group or family, or God’s grace?
2. Is it beyond reason for the writer of Ephesians to say that “Christ has made us both one?” In what ways is that not true? In what ways might it be true after all?
3. If indeed Christ died for all, what group of persons in your world right now most need your acceptance and one-ness with them? Why is it so hard for us to think of being “united” with those persons?
Ephesians 2
Lent, Week 2
Read Ephesians, Chapter Two.
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility. … So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” (Ephesians 2:13-14, 19)
Powerful words.
Now go back. Read them again. But this time, read them aloud and read them slowly.
“… far off …” There are many ways of being "far off."
Several weeks ago the Fargo area was shocked to learn that a homeless man had been found frozen to death on the steps of the Roman Catholic Bishop’s home. He had been a frequent visitor there and had often received food and help from the Diocese. But that night, no one was home, and as the temperatures dipped below zero and the knocks on the door went unanswered, there must have been no other place for this man to go. So he lay down on the steps and never awoke.
Friends, there are many ways of being "far off." We’ve all experienced it - and we’ve all seen it:
- In the face of the man standing on the corner with the sign “Will Work for Food."
- In the eyes of the person who has been hurt.
- In the body language of the woman sitting alone in the ICU waiting room.
- In the body language of the person whose words have just been rejected.
We live in a world where all too often we allow what divides us to define us. Rich or poor? Democrat or republican? Young or old? Conservative or liberal? Clergy or laity? Male or female? Tall or short?
We define ourselves by these divisive labels and we find our place in the culture and system through them.
But listen again to Ephesians 2:
“For he (Christ) is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility.”
What would it look like if we defined ourselves not by what divides us, but instead by what unites us?
“Christ … has made us both one.”
“Christ … has broken down the dividing walls … “
“Christ is our peace.”
Christ didn’t die for just one group. He died for us all.
This Lenten season – and particularly this week in Lent – pray for unity.
Pray daily that through the cross of Christ each of us might find our “one-ness”.
Pray that as we are called to Christ, Christ then calls us to each other.
Questions to ponder:
1. In what area in your life do you feel “far off” and separated from others right now? Who do you know that also might be living “far off” from a group or family, or God’s grace?
2. Is it beyond reason for the writer of Ephesians to say that “Christ has made us both one?” In what ways is that not true? In what ways might it be true after all?
3. If indeed Christ died for all, what group of persons in your world right now most need your acceptance and one-ness with them? Why is it so hard for us to think of being “united” with those persons?
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Lenten Devotional, Week 1
Friends in Christ,
This Lenten season, I am inviting all of us in the Dakotas Conference to read together the great book of Ephesians. Each of the six weeks of Lent, we will focus on one of the chapters in this wonderful little book. The accompanying devotionals are meant to stimulate our thinking as we ponder the meaning of these holy words.
I would encourage you to find a prayer partner or a group with which you can discuss your thoughts and insights around the weekly chapter. You may also wish to share your words of wisdom or questions on this blog.
It is my hope that during this Lenten season we can all grow in our faith and togetherness as we seek God’s wisdom through these holy words.
Bishop Deb
=====================
Called – by God
Ephesians 1
Lent, Week 1
Read Ephesians, Chapter One.
How many of you can relate to this experience?
You are standing in line in physical education class in school. The teacher has chosen two persons to be ‘captains’ and they are in the process of choosing teams for whatever game is planned. As each captain says a name, you hope it will be you … but no. One by one the class is being divided up and you are still standing there, waiting. Finally, when your name is called you breathe a sigh of relief and happily take your place with the rest of the team.
Sound familiar?
How wonderful when we are chosen. And how devastating when we are not.
Listen to these words from the first chapter of Ephesians.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.” (vs. 3-4)
The book of Ephesians is generally believed to be a circular letter to be shared with all churches and written not specifically for the congregation in Ephesus. It doesn’t address specific concerns that might be found in one, unique setting. Rather its theme is one that is of utmost importance to all the congregations in Asia Minor: unity in Christ.
Even with these opening words we hear the writer of Ephesians reminding us that God has chosen us – God has sought us to be God’s own children – a part of God’s family. That is the foundation upon which our faith is built … a love so deep and so far-reaching that we cannot escape it. God has chosen us.
But notice the rest of that phrase in verse 4. “Just as he chose us in Christ.”
The term “in Christ” (or “in him”) is used over thirty times in this short book. The number of times that phrase is used gives us an indication of the importance the writer of Ephesians places in the vital concept that in Christ - we find our community, we find our one-ness, we live “in love” as God intends.
This opening chapter is a wonderful reminder of who we are and Whose we are. We are chosen by God. We are chosen to live in the community of Christ. We are chosen to live in the community of Christ – in love. As we read in verses 17 -19:
“I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.”
That is my prayer as well – through our unity in Christ, our hearts will be enlightened and our lives be filled with hope, knowing we are chosen, loved and redeemed.
Questions to ponder:
1. How differently might we live if we were able to keep “chosen by God” in front of our minds in everything we do?
2. What does it mean for you to consider that everyone else is also “chosen of God?”
3. What do you understand to be the “immeasurable greatness of [God’s] power for us who believe?” What is possible in your life with that type of power entrusted to you?
This Lenten season, I am inviting all of us in the Dakotas Conference to read together the great book of Ephesians. Each of the six weeks of Lent, we will focus on one of the chapters in this wonderful little book. The accompanying devotionals are meant to stimulate our thinking as we ponder the meaning of these holy words.
I would encourage you to find a prayer partner or a group with which you can discuss your thoughts and insights around the weekly chapter. You may also wish to share your words of wisdom or questions on this blog.
It is my hope that during this Lenten season we can all grow in our faith and togetherness as we seek God’s wisdom through these holy words.
Bishop Deb
=====================
Called – by God
Ephesians 1
Lent, Week 1
Read Ephesians, Chapter One.
How many of you can relate to this experience?
You are standing in line in physical education class in school. The teacher has chosen two persons to be ‘captains’ and they are in the process of choosing teams for whatever game is planned. As each captain says a name, you hope it will be you … but no. One by one the class is being divided up and you are still standing there, waiting. Finally, when your name is called you breathe a sigh of relief and happily take your place with the rest of the team.
Sound familiar?
How wonderful when we are chosen. And how devastating when we are not.
Listen to these words from the first chapter of Ephesians.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.” (vs. 3-4)
The book of Ephesians is generally believed to be a circular letter to be shared with all churches and written not specifically for the congregation in Ephesus. It doesn’t address specific concerns that might be found in one, unique setting. Rather its theme is one that is of utmost importance to all the congregations in Asia Minor: unity in Christ.
Even with these opening words we hear the writer of Ephesians reminding us that God has chosen us – God has sought us to be God’s own children – a part of God’s family. That is the foundation upon which our faith is built … a love so deep and so far-reaching that we cannot escape it. God has chosen us.
But notice the rest of that phrase in verse 4. “Just as he chose us in Christ.”
The term “in Christ” (or “in him”) is used over thirty times in this short book. The number of times that phrase is used gives us an indication of the importance the writer of Ephesians places in the vital concept that in Christ - we find our community, we find our one-ness, we live “in love” as God intends.
This opening chapter is a wonderful reminder of who we are and Whose we are. We are chosen by God. We are chosen to live in the community of Christ. We are chosen to live in the community of Christ – in love. As we read in verses 17 -19:
“I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.”
That is my prayer as well – through our unity in Christ, our hearts will be enlightened and our lives be filled with hope, knowing we are chosen, loved and redeemed.
Questions to ponder:
1. How differently might we live if we were able to keep “chosen by God” in front of our minds in everything we do?
2. What does it mean for you to consider that everyone else is also “chosen of God?”
3. What do you understand to be the “immeasurable greatness of [God’s] power for us who believe?” What is possible in your life with that type of power entrusted to you?
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Welcome to the Dakotas Diary Blog!
Friends in Christ,
One of the tenets John Wesley taught his Methodists to embrace was connectionalism: the concept that we, as the body of Christ, are bound together by the common purpose of reaching out to the world through mission and ministry.
Connectionalism manifests itself in numerous ways throughout our church, and this Lent, I invite all of us in the Dakotas Conference to start "connecting" in a new way.
By now, you're accustomed to receiving my Dakotas Diary via e-mail. Well, we're taking it a step further by posting the Diary on this blog. My hope is that you'll "talk" about the various topics with your fellow Dakotans and engage in conversation together.
Bishop Deb
One of the tenets John Wesley taught his Methodists to embrace was connectionalism: the concept that we, as the body of Christ, are bound together by the common purpose of reaching out to the world through mission and ministry.
Connectionalism manifests itself in numerous ways throughout our church, and this Lent, I invite all of us in the Dakotas Conference to start "connecting" in a new way.
By now, you're accustomed to receiving my Dakotas Diary via e-mail. Well, we're taking it a step further by posting the Diary on this blog. My hope is that you'll "talk" about the various topics with your fellow Dakotans and engage in conversation together.
Bishop Deb
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