A Life Worthy of Christ

DAILY READING

Ephesians 4:1-6

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

There Is But One

by Jennifer Jerrome

How many times in the last 15 months have you heard the words “physical or social distancing?” Infinitely more than you ever had before, right? Places where we once stood shoulder to shoulder, we were told to stay as far away from each other as possible. Shaking hands or hugging was frowned upon. People who thrived on interaction suddenly found themselves with minimal human contact. That’s a lot of change to happen in a short amount of time. But while our world was rapidly evolving, one thing remained…

There is one body and one Spirit (v. 4).

Whether alone or surrounded by thousands, we are all one in Christ. We are all connected no matter the physical distance. As we became accustomed to pre-recorded or live-streamed services, we realized that the building isn’t the church (though my first time back inside felt like coming home after a long absence.)

When Paul wrote Ephesians, he was a “prisoner for the Lord.” Though physically distanced from the people he was writing to, he felt a deep connection with them. This connection came from one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all (v. 5-6). 

If Paul were writing today, his medium might include social media of some kind – a tweet or blog post, perhaps?  Though the means of getting the message out has changed, Christ himself transcends time and place. Just as we are one with those on earth today, we are also one with our brothers and sisters in the past, as well as those in the future.

Father, as we adjust to yet another new “normal,” may we bear with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (v. 3).  There is but one You dwelling in each of us. May that bond remain strong through all of life’s changes. Amen

 PRAYER PRACTICE

Prayer Journal – To begin your daily worship today, grab a pen and paper and write out a prayer to God. Not sure what to write? Try using ACTS to frame your prayer. Begin with adoration for who God is. Then move on to confession – being real about where you have fallen short in the last day or two. Give thanks to God for all that He gives (including forgiveness for the sin you just confessed!). And then finish with supplication – with your prayer requests to God. When you are done, tuck this away somewhere (so you can read it later and see how God has answered your prayers) and then move into hearing from God through His Word.