Upheld in Value

Majestic and Powerful

Walking along the Spokane riverbanks every spring is a lesson in power. This river pushes a lot of water over the rocks at lightning speed, it is dizzying. Especially if one stands in the middle of the suspension bridge watching that water charging and listening to the roar of it. It is mesmerizing.

The power in that water is incredible, even mind-boggling.

The rocks on either side of the waterway reminds me of how majestic God has made this world. And of God Himself – immutable, absolute, unmovable, unchangeable – even as power rushes all around Him.

He is Permanent. Dependable. Constant. Firm.

Blessing

This morning, we did a bit of contemplation at church. We read a portion of Scripture and each of us was asked to pick out what stood out to us.

Stood out?

Like more mind-boggling. We are told, in Ephesians, that God blesses us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, in Christ.

I am not sure I can even imagine the heavenly places. I’ve read this Scripture before, but what do heavenly places mean? Like somewhere in the sky? Or, maybe someplace closer, like—a—lap? Where Jesus is, that’s the heavenly place?

Or because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, could it even mean to sit with Father (Daddy) God? In unimaginable places to my earthly mind.

Reaction

The next question was, how do we feel about this?

Well, that’s hard to say. At the river, a crazy kayaker was “shooting the rapids.” I don’t know how he did it, but I watched him bob and spurt and swirl around the rocks.

I think, maybe, the answer to the feeling question is something like that kayaker in the water, seemingly out of control yet he kept going.

Shocked that God blesses and invites a soiled sinner like me in heavenly realms.

Amazed that God blesses and invites a soiled sinner like me in heavenly realms.

And valued. All the way around the swirling waters, God blesses me. Because I am valuable to Him.

He sent His Son to take my punishment.

That’s value.

Invitation

It’s true for all of us. We are blessed in heavenly places. We are valued by God Himself!

So what must we do?

Nothing.

He says, “Come.”

What? That’s it? Just—Come?

He’s provided the bridge for us to cross.

All we have to do is come.

In all of God’s majesty and power, He humbly asks us to just come. Mind-boggling.

Are you ready?

Let’s go. Together. He’s waiting.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” Ephesians 1:3).