Ephesians 1:3
Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
How have I been so blessed
To have this life
To be life
Released from all knowing
Falling gratefully
Into the current of the infinite
~Galen Pearl at No Way Cafe
Every spiritual blessing . . . Are we giving thanks to the One who saves? The Lord that gives life eternal and infinite hope?
When I read this poem by my friend, Galen, I immediately see the contrast between life's daily struggles and uncertainties juxtaposed with the solid, unchanging promises of God throughout the ages.
Do you recall those rope courses, often set up by companies wishing to cement the relationships between employees and employers, or churches attempting to highlight the importance of trust in their congregations? I certainly do! The first time I had the courage to let go of the rope, placing my trust in the arms that promised to break my fall, was humbling to say the least.
My faith increased in the very moment those willing hands caught me, firmly and gently.
How much more, then, will God catch us in His everlasting arms whenever we stumble and fall? When the vagaries of life threaten to derail us from the purpose He intends, are we willing to flow with the current of His infinite love?
In these difficult days, as we cope with this omnipresent virus, may we always remember that God holds us securely and gracefully in His saving, embracing and loving arms.
He wants us to be released from the fiction of all-knowing.
Free to have life.
To be life for others.
Amen!
Isn't it amazing that a child trusts without realising it? As a toddler and in his early years, he eats what he is given trustingly. He does not question whether the food is good or not. He trusts his parents wherever they take him and does as he is taught and told. That is trust. Then one day ... a child learns to judge who and what to trust and what not to trust.
ReplyDeleteWhy can't we be like a child when it comes to trusting God? Has He ever let us down? Has He ever done something to break or weaken our trust in Him? Why do we treat Him like we treat other humans?
God bless.
If we could only trust like a child . . . That's precisely what Jesus asked us to do if we wished to enter the kingdom of God. Great reminder to all of us, Victor!
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Martha, good morning! What a joy to be welcomed with verses from Ephesians today. I am reading the book over and over even as our pastor preaches through it.
ReplyDeleteWater for a thirsty soul ...
Amen, Linda! Glad this verse greeted you so warmly today.
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Martha, such a powerful analogy and comforting imagery. "...God holds us securely and gracefully in His saving, embracing and loving arms." Ephesians 1:3 is one of my favorites and one of the verses I have on my wall behind my computer with my name inserted in.
ReplyDeleteBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed Martha with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. (based on ESV)
Oh, Karen, I am so touched by you inserting my name into this beautiful and reassuring verse! As you recently posted, praying for others by placing their name(s) in scripture is so meaningful and powerful - I've started doing just that!
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Excellent! I'd not heard of that particular rope exercise, but it sure sounds interesting. One in which my workplace participated involved each of the 20-some participants being blind-folded, then given a section of thick rope to grasp in both hands. Using only our voices, we were instructed to try and form a perfect square. (Entertaining, but its lesson escapes me right now.)
ReplyDeleteI much prefer your thoughts about trust -- and WHERE we place ours. Have a blessed day!
Your experience sounds like an offshoot of the ropes course, Myra. Yes, it's so important where, and with whom, we place our trust. I know we both put God first in that department!
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Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem, Martha. You have a very talented poet friend! Trust is something I work on constantly. I can just picture you on the ropes course. It is an exercise I definitely should do.
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, Laurie, I was really scared to try it at first, but I never regretted doing it. Glad you liked Galen's poem, too. You'd enjoy her blog, I think.
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A lovely reflection or us today. Thank you! I remember those Ropes courses and hated going after the first one. Glad they petered out of favor after a while but thank our Loving Lord that He never goes out of favor and is always there to catch His believers!
ReplyDeleteYes, Terri, it's a good thing that God never goes out of favor, isn't it? Counting on Him to catch me every time!
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Yes, learning to trust our fellow teammates isn't always easy, but it does help us understand God better when we can have some human analogies of faithfulness to go by. Our God is faithful, and we CAN rely on Him always. Even in these times of uncertainty. He is working on our behalf. So thankful for His heavenly blessings that take care of us even here and now on earth.
ReplyDeleteI'm so grateful for God's blessings, too, Pamela. And I do think that when we can trust others in our lives, it heightens our ability to trust our loving Father even more. In these recent times, I've sure needed to fall into His faithful arms, and that is the good news!
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He wants us to be released from the fiction of all-knowing. Beautifully said. Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take him at his word... Why, when I read your blog do these hymns surface?
ReplyDeleteHow is the blood pressure issue now? Trusting on your behalf for healing. Love and prayers.
I can't say why the hymns come to mind, Debra, but maybe it's God's way for you to connect with your own experiences. Blood pressure is great, and thanks for asking. And that line? Inspired by Galen's poem!
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Thank you so much, Martha, for such a beautiful and inspiring reflection on my poem. You have enhanced it immensely. And what a great reminder to lift our spirits up in faith during challenging times.
ReplyDeleteIt was such an honor to feature your poem here, Galen. Know that your words inspired mine completely. I had no idea I'd even write this before I read your poem. Thank you!
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Trust is an interesting thing--trust is rather easy to lose and hard to regain. Trusting humans is a risky thing at times. I'm so thankful that the Lord is ALWAYS trustworthy.
ReplyDeleteI'm familiar with ropes courses but haven't done one.
Love and blessings!
You are so right about trust, Kim. With people, it is all too easy to lose trust, and once it's lost, it takes a LONG time to regain, if ever. Like you, I'm so grateful that God can be trusted, always and everywhere!
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I love this analogy, Martha. Thank you for this encouragement to trust in our God who "holds us securely and gracefully in His saving, embracing and loving arms." It reminds me of the verse - "Underneath are the everlasting arms."
ReplyDeleteTrudy, absolutely! All of us are held by our Father's unfailing arms, and we can trust Him completely in all things. So grateful for His love!
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beautifully written and love the poem too. You inspire me and lift my spirits!
ReplyDeleteOh, Jean, I'm so glad this post inspired you and lifted your spirits. I always hope that what I write will point everyone toward God's love and grace.
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Letting go and releasing ourselves to God is the most freeing experience I've ever felt. Although free falling from over 20,000 feet on a HALO jump is perhaps close. I felt like I was nearer to God in those moments of solitude.
ReplyDeleteSkydiving??? Wow, J. D., not that's something I've never even wanted to do, as I'm so afraid of heights. Glad I don't have to do that in order to free fall with God!
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I remember going through that rope course and in the end it helped with trust. Oh to bask in your truth about God catching us in His arms when we fall. It seems to give me courage to step out knowing He is there and not to shy away from any hard assignments. Seemingly a difference in whether we live life to the fullness or confine ourselves in fear. Good word to help us trust Him more!😀🙌🙌🙏🙏
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Valerie! When we trust that God has our backs, we can boldly step out and live the abundant life Jesus has promised to us. That's just what He wants us to do!
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We are truly in the BEST OF HANDS as we face [whatever]. This post is a good reminder of that.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara! Yes, with God, we are in the best of hands.
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Beautiful thoughts on a thought-provoking and lovely poem. Thank you Martha, and thank you Galen for your poem.
ReplyDeleteYou are so very welcome, Diane! Glad you enjoyed the post.
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Beautiful
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Regine!
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I'm sorry I was unable to comment earlier Martha. I totally agree with the whole trust we need to have. Thanks for reminding us of that need. And yes, you/we are blessed.
ReplyDeleteNo worries, Bill! And yes, we need to place all our trust in the Lord.
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Thank you so much for this encouragement this morning, Martha. I needed it and thank the Lord for you and your faithfulness to His calling upon your life.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to know that this post gave you encouragement, Cheryl. I always pray that my words might give someone who reads them fresh hope.
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"May we always remember that God holds us securely and gracefully in His saving, embracing and loving arms." Yes, yes, yes! Thanks, Martha.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa, for your kind comment here. So glad this post spoke to your heart!
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