We have just started listening to Ephesians.

Have you ever noticed how often the Apostle Paul used superlatives, as though even his great mind grappled with the enormity of the Gospel. It’s not just news, it’s good news, not merely grace but glorious grace, freely given and lavished on us so that we may enjoy not just blessing, but every spiritual blessing. Now we are guaranteed a glorious inheritance through God’s “incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come!”

I can almost hear him shouting in exultation – as preachers will do sometimes 😊 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”!

At the beginning of this year, Best Beloved and I started listening to the Word together, and we have both been surprised at the depth of the fresh insights that have come from hearing as opposed to reading. And I think it is helped by listening to someone who reads as a Christian. I think it’s the first time in our lives that we laughed out loud at some of the things Jesus said, delighted to recognize in the man Jesus a friend we would have loved to hang out with. And I envied those who got to set a table for him and serve him something delicious because this is one of my sweet joys – cooking for people I love😊.

I am encouraged by Paul’s extravagant language because there are times when I too find ordinary words inadequate, when my spirit is just lost in wonder, love, and praise and all I can do is exclaim – Lord YOU know! I am moved by songs whose words present me with a profound and vivid picture of the God we serve, a picture often beyond my understanding but not beyond my love and adoration.  

Inevitably I’m drawn to my piano for a visit with Charles Wesley whose strong poetry captures the Christ of my heart in words that breathe life into my spirit today:  

No condemnation now I dread;

Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!

Alive in Him, my living Head,

And clothed in righteousness Divine,

Bold I approach the eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Blessings and love!

‍