What is God up to? What is the goal or purpose of this gift? And why extend it so extravagantly to all people and to creation itself?Дo you know the story of the tower of Babel (Genesis 11)? ItвЂ™s a cautionary tale of the human desire to reach the heavens and be like God. This amazing gift of redemption and grace is still unfolding! This outpouring of grace and love is still at work, like the rising and setting of the sun each day. Why would God choose to bless us so greatly, long before we had any knowledge of GodвЂ™s existence or awareness of this love? I choose to believe this is an ongoing thing. Everything that is most needed has been provided already вЂ“ redemption and forgiveness through Jesus. We were chosen in Christ before the world was formed God made a plan to adopt believers as GodвЂ™s own children and God chose to bestow grace upon us. Paul begins this letter by reminding the Ephesian Christian community to remember and celebrate what God has already provided. There was just as much вЂњus-versus-themвЂќ stuff going on, in the church as well as between Christians and the culture. When the Apostle Paul wrote the Letter to the Ephesian Christians, it was during a similar time of tension and struggle. Giving focus, however, to what matters to God holds the key for moving forward. Amidst the endless dates about following science and medical guidance, to the divergent opinions of our preferred news outlets, celebrating God seems a remote interest for most people these days. The disruption from the pandemic has spun much of the world into a struggle for control.

Gathering to celebrate is set against the need to control. As well as funerals.ДЄs the world around us is taking steps for gathering after a long period of shelter-in-place, the importance of celebration seems more precious. This could include weddings, baptisms, Christmas, and Easter worship. Part of the work of a pastor is developing and guiding moments of public celebration of God.

Hello ground swords and souls