Thoughts for the Day

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

God 'lavished' His Grace on us, Paul says in this early letter to the Christians in Ephesus, written around 60-62 CE, while he was in prison in Rome. 'Lavish' is not a word we use much at present, but it has a wealth of meanings. It is to be open-handed and generous with things like gifts, promises or praise. If a present is lavish, it will be one of over-the-top extravagance and something absolutely stunning.

When couples have a first child, it's very noticeable that no expense is spared to give them the latest toys, and often the most up-to-date nursery equipment. We lavish all our attention, all our love, and all our money upon them. This is natural when a long-for a baby appears. But the child can take this for granted, and may struggle when another baby comes along in due course.

The word 'grace' in Greek (χάρις) means 'unmerited favour'. So Paul sees God as lavishing His love upon us even though we have never deserved it, and offering us through Christ Jesus freedom from sin and eternal life. But are we, like the first-born child so taken up with the things of this world that we take His gift for granted?

Lord God,
all too often we can take Your Grace
for granted,
ignoring Your extravagant offer
and preferring the ephemeral
things of the world.
Make us ever grateful
for our adoption as Your children
and for the gifts that You give us.
Amen.