WAITING TO CHEER

WAITING TO CHEER

READ:
Ephesians 3:14-21

...to know the love of Christ
which passes knowledge; that
you may be filled with all the
fullness of God. -Ephesians 3:19

In His very first Little League baseball game, a young player on the team I was coaching got hit in the face with a ball.  He was not hurt but was understandably shaken.  For the rest of the season, he was afraid of the ball.  Game after game, he bravely tried, but he just couldn't seem to hit the ball.

In our final game, we were hopelessly behind, with nothing to cheer about.  Then that young man stepped up to take his turn.  Thwack!  To everyone's surprise, he hit the ball sharply!  His teammates went wild; his parents and his teammates' cheered loudly.  Even though we were still losing the game, I was jumping up and down!  We all loved this kid and cheered him on.

I imagine that the Lord cheers us on in our lives as well.  He loves us deeply and desires that we "may be able to comprehend...what is the width and length and depth and height-to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge" (Ephesians 3:18-19).

Some think of the Lord as unloving and waiting for us to slip up so He can punish us.  So we have the privilege of telling them of His deep love for them.  Imagine their joy when they hear about the God who loves them so much that He sent His only Son to die on the cross for their sin and who wants to cheer them on! -Randy Kilgore

Help us, heavenly Father, to see the many
ways You love and encourage us; then help
us to love and encourage those around
us so that they can see You in us.
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The nail-pierced hands of Jesus
reveal the love-filled heart of God.

INSIGHT
Notice the layers of expectation in Paul's doxology (v.20).  While extolling the power of our Creator God, Paul affirms first and foremost the ability of God ("Him who is able"), then stretches our imaginations by telling us that this ability reaches "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think."  It is not simply that God is able.  He is able to do infinitely more than we can conceive or comprehend.  It is a foundational understanding of God's ability that gives teeth to Paul's prayers and strength to his hope.  Both rest in the God who is able!

Have a blessed day and weekend.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace