Waves Of Water
Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God's people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. Ephesians 1:15-18
Insight
A rush of ankle-deep water almost knocked me off my feet as I opened the coat closet. Our house once again decided to show its age as our rusted out water heater finally called it quits. Waves of water continued to pour out.
After the initial shock wore off, my wife and I jumped into action, cleaning up the mess. To ignore the flood, or to sit idly by, wasn't an option. If we did so, everyone (especially our insurance company) would question our sanity.
A flood requires a response.
The Apostle Paul understood this, and that shaped his intercession for the believers in Ephesus. He opens his letter to them by praying that their hearts would be "flooded with light," so they could comprehend the hope they have in Christ.
Floods are overwhelming. They disrupt the routines and environments of everything they touch. Once that surge hits, nothing is ever the same.
An encounter with Christ influences our hearts in much the same way. A tidal wave of radical forgiveness, unconditional love, and redemptive grace sweeps us off our feet. It seeps through and touches everything about us - our perspective, our emotions, and our purpose. Today, take a moment to soak in His love and let it flood the deepest places of your soul.
Reflection
What hope does Christ provide you? How has an encounter with His forgiveness and love shaped you?
How can you share this hope with someone else in need?
Prayer
God, Your affection overwhelms me. The endless compassion and grace You provide requires my response. Let my answer be a disruptive force of love to the places around me. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.
