What would you say are some of your greatest talents? Things that come super naturally to you and that you can do with tremendous ease?
Though it may not be an impressive feat, one of my greatest talents (unfortunately) is to moan. I’m very good at it. For the time being, I would say that I’ve enjoyed a pretty easy life. Yet somehow, I always manage to find things to complain about – trivial matters in the grand scheme of things.
Our series in Ephesians has been a wonderful reminder to gain some much-needed perspective. At the beginning of the letter, we see the apostle Paul remind the Christians at Ephesus of the biggest possible perspective. In Christ Jesus, we have every spiritual blessing possible and a certain hope in a glorious future with God the Father through the Holy Spirit. Looking at the world through this lens, it then makes sense how Paul was able to pray the way he prayed in verses 15-23 of this first chapter.
This is a prayer of thanksgiving, but lest we forget his physical circumstances, Paul was writing this letter in AD 62 while imprisoned in Rome (Acts 28).
Let’s pray big prayers and see the big ways in which God is at work
How was it possible for him to be so thankful even in such objectively difficult circumstances? I think it has a lot to do with his eyes. Paul was giving thanks because he was not looking at himself, but others. He rejoiced because even though he was in prison, he knew God was still at work in his church and in the lives of his people at large, and so he could give thanks (1:15-16). He was looking towards God and our Lord Jesus Christ for his hope. Despite immediate obstacles, he knew that Christ is still in control and “head over all things to the church” (1:22).
I’m really challenged by the book of Ephesians and am forced to reflect on my own prayer life. How do my prayers look compared to Paul’s? I’m very good at moaning and groaning, and find it so easy to present my laundry list of requests to God. While it is not wrong to bring our worries and anxieties before the Lord, if that is all we ever pray about, then something’s not right.
As we continue reflecting on Ephesians, let’s remember to lift our eyes to see our little lives within the context of eternity. It’s not that God is not at work, it’s just that we don’t see it sometimes or appreciate the scope of the goodness that is being worked out for our spiritual good.
Let’s pray big prayers and see the big ways in which God is at work in our lives and the world – and give him thanks for all of it!
