"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." – Ephesians 2:10
Usually when I read the beginning verses of Ephesians 2 I get caught up in the truth of where I was before Christ rescued me. I was "dead in [my] transgressions and sins" and I "followed the ways of this world." I spent time "gratifying the cravings of [my] sinful nature" and was an enemy of God.
As I continue reading along I find that – "Because of his great love for [me], God, who is rich in mercy, made [me] alive with Christ even when [I] was dead in transgressions – it is by grace [I] have been saved."
And not only am I saved, but… "God raised [me] up with Christ and seated [me] with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus."
Why? – "In order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to [me] in Christ Jesus."
My salvation was a gift of God by grace and through faith in him. It is to be a testimony to the world of his goodness and grace in sending Jesus for all of us.
Keep on reading…what's next?
"For [I am] God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for [me] to do."
Here I find…
The truth of my identity – a woman fashioned by God, created in Christ.
The purpose of me having been created – to do good works in Christ.
The reality of my mission – God has already prepared what I'm to do.
By realizing that I was created by God, for God, to follow God's plan, I find freedom. Freedom to put aside my own wants and desires. To trade them for the plan which the Lord already has mapped out for me. He's got good works for me to do – people are waiting to hear the name of Jesus, the sick are waiting to be healed, the hopeless are ready to breathe in hope, the captives are ready to be set free.
Today I was talking with someone about the Race and was met with a response to this effect: "That's really great and admirable…it's an amazing opportunity. Something to do while you're young."
I know this was supposed to be a complement, a praise toward my compassion for the nations, but for some reason I got stuck on the last phrase: "something to do while you're young."
Is that what the letter to the Ephesians said… that God created good works for me to do: 1) between the ages of 21-28, 2) before I get married, 3) before I have kids, 4) when I have a comfortable retirement fund, etc? I don't think so. The Holy Spirit in me is pushing me to continually follow Christ, to serve him with reckless abandon for as long as I'm alive. Why do we sell ourselves short by clinging only to the promise of salvation in Christ without boldly living out the rest of our lives to discover who He is? To tell others what He's done for us?
He promises that if we delight ourselves in Him that He will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). Why delight myself in Christ now and discard him when I'm older? So that I can become comfortable and have a life of stability and safety? What is holding me back from giving him everything that I am at every moment, young or old?
Lord, help me to remember your goodness. That you're faithful and True. Remind me why I can trust you with my life now and in the years to come. Continue to show me why there's no other place I'd rather be than here in Your Love.
