God has been working on my stony, stubborn heart for a while now. I have been reluctant, but He continues to remind me that He is greater and I am only clay in His hands to be used as He decides. My Bible study has been reading and discussing Ephesians and since this morning Chapter 4 and 5 have not left my thoughts. Paul talks about our responsibilities. My earthly responsibilities right now include my duties as a student and my job at my family's restaurant. My call as a Christ follower and an evangelist is to "equip God's people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ" (ch 4:12). I help lead worship at my church's college ministry, I teach a 4th grade Sunday school class, and I am a member of a young women's Bible study. I long, with all of my heart, to be used in all these areas of my life. I want to be strong. I want to be used by God and I want to "THROW off my old sinful nature" (vs 22). Something I struggle with all too often is anger. My dad has struggled with this too and I really wish we could help each other overcome our sin of "letting anger control us" (vs 26). Psalm 4:4 says "Don't sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent." But how many of us actually do that?? Paul encourages us to let it go and reminds us that "anger gives a foothold to the devil" (vs 27). I am learning, by the grace of God, to "Let everything [I] say be good and helpful, so that [my] words will be an encouragement to those who hear them" (vs 29). I am His, He is mine and if I'll invite Him in, He WILL mold me.
"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because YOU are his dear [child]. Live a life filled with LOVE, following the example of Christ" (Ch 5:1-2). I am convicted by vs 3-9. I have been influenced by, exposed to, and participated in "the things these people do," but I am called to a HIGHER standard of living!! He calls us into the Light and He challenges us to shine for all the world to see. But not just because we should be good little people.. Matthew 5:14-16 tells us the purpose of these good deeds; "so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father!!" We are to "carefully determine what pleases the Lord" (vs 10). Why do we make such a simple task so difficult? Have we forgotten that God is good? He is Light and in Him there is NO darkness (1 John 1:5). So why is it so easy for us to forget what pleases the Lord and the way we should behave? I write this not to specifically convict my readers but because the Lord has convicted me of this lazy living too. "Be careful how you live... Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do" (vs 15-17). We've gotta step it up.. God's plan will be fulfilled whether we participate or not, but how much more satisfying for us if we get on board!
Paul then goes on to talk about relationships. Why? Because we cannot do this alone. Kevin, the pastor of OverFLOW, has been sharing over the past few weeks about "doing life together." "He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and FULL of LOVE" (ch 4:16). Some of the women in my Bible study are single and, as most women our age do, we struggle with the wait for the one man God is preparing. God has set the perfect example for our future spouses and we must not settle for anything less! "He gave up His life for her!" (vs 25). God will guide me, love me, show me, prepare me.. He knows our hearts and we must wait knowing He desires for us to be happy (Ps 37:4).
I welcome your questions, comments and general responses. I pray God uses this to speak truth into your life.
