When examining Ephesians 3:14-21 through the lens of busyness in our culture, we can identify three components that Paul highlights in his letter.
-
Prayer. This section really is one big prayer for the Ephesians. Paul was a man known for his busyness as a missionary and church planter. In the season he writes to the Ephesians, Paul has been forced to slow down after being placed on house arrest by the Roman government. We emphasized a clear and underlying rhythm to Paul’s life of kneeling prayer which he mentions in verse 14. Paul is on his knees before the Father for the church. This is one way that the divine power of the Holy Spirit is unleashed into the world is through the consistent prayer life of believers.
-
Power. Paul desperately wants the church to realize that because they have been invited into God’s family, they now have the empowering of the Holy Spirit. This is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead as Paul mentions in chapter 1. Like uncharged iPhones, we as Christians can so often live life on low battery mode simply running from one thing to the next. Instead, God wants us to live a life abiding in Him, connected to the power source of His Spirit and fueled by his life-giving abundance.
-
Love. We cannot even fathom how wide, deep, high and long God’s creation is much less the vastness of His love. Knowing this, God demonstrated his love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
Takeaways:
- As Christians, we are invited to exchange our banner cry from a “busy” people, to a people of power and love on mission with God
- In light of these truths, our lives and attitudes should be different than the culture around us
- Verse 20 reminds us that we serve a God who wants to do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine, every day of our lives with Him
As you go into this week, walk in the encouragement of Paul! The love that God has for you is wider than the universe, higher than Mount Everest, and deeper than Mariana’s trench. If you are tired and run down, God invites us to come find rest on our knees in his presence and power when we abide in His Spirit. May we go into the world as a people filled with God’s power for the purpose of proclaiming his love.
