AWAKEN: DAY 3

Remember you are dust and to dust you will return.

SCRIPTURE READING - DAY 3

Ephesians 1:18

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be
enlightened in order that you may know the hope
to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious
inheritance in the saints. (NIV)


MEDITATION


“…the eyes of your heart may be enlightened…”

The heart knowing and the head knowing are two different things. Knowledge is tricky! We may have knowledge of many things, but we still don’t know them.

Before having children, I thought I knew what it would mean to be a father. I knew it would require a few life adjustments. "No problem," I thought. "I’m tough. He’s a baby." And then my son, Benjamin, was actually born. My previous knowledge of fatherhood only vaguely resembled my new experiential knowledge. My infant boy very quickly enlightened me about who was tough and who the baby was.

Ephesians also says it is the Spirit who enlightens hearts; it is the Spirit who provides wisdom and revelation. An enlightened heart knows—and there is no gap between what we think and how we experience it.

“…in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints…”

Hope is something that is often in short supply and heavy demand. When you lose hope, it is difficult to continue on.

For a time, our family lived in Indonesia, which has the largest population of Muslims in the world, and where corruption is rampant. I worked with young Christian leaders, mentoring them in character formation and discovery of their calling and giftedness.

After the first all-day group meeting on the theme of integrity, I learned that three of the eight leaders misused the travel money I had provided. I was deeply discouraged. I asked myself, "What will it take to bring change to these young leaders? To Indonesia?" I wanted to give up.

My hope came from the Lord reminding me to obey my calling—to facilitate church multiplication in difficult places—and he would take care of the response. He reminded me of how I had failed in the past and the grace he had extended to me. He reminded me how these imperfect young leaders were his tools to reach Indonesia.

The hope I have does not come from leaving behind some ministry impact. My hope is in knowing my place in Christ as an adopted son (Ephesians 1:4). My adoption brings an incomparable closeness in my relationship with Christ. That closeness, which will go on through eternity, is God’s glorious inheritance given to me and to all who believe.


REFLECTION

What gaps do you see between what you know in your head versus your heart?


In what situations have you lost hope?


In what ways can you personalize and live out your “inheritance in the saints?”