Building Up in Love

DAILY READING

Ephesians 4:7-16

REFLECTION

I am a Saint – I am Equipped for Service

by Mary McGinnis

I like to begin my day with an affirmation, some sort of “I am” statement that sets the thoughts of my heart for the day. 

Try it with me today. First, speak out loud right now, “I am a Saint.” What thoughts or feelings arise as those four words roll off your tongue?   

My immediate thoughts are, “I don’t believe it. In fact, I know how unsaintly, how unholy, how less than perfect, how prone to selfishness and self-centeredness I am. Just ask my family.” 

That is where I bring my heart and thoughts the beautiful words Paul speaks to us today. 

“But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore, it says,

‘When He ascended on high,

He led a host of captives, and

He gave gifts to men.’”

Jesus descended from His throne in heaven to become a human, born in the humility of a poor family, His infant body lying vulnerably in a lowly feeding trough. He descended further into the pits of bitter suffering, bearing the pain of a cruel death, a death that we deserved. Satan sang out a victory, he thought his conquest against God and his Son was finished. And all humans from the beginning of time to the end of time were now his captors! 

Yet, on that first Easter morning, Jesus arose!  He conquered death! 

Then Jesus ascended to the Father.  It was like a heavenly victory parade!  

Can you picture it?  

As He ascends into the clouds, Jesus is raised up as the conquering Hero, rejoined with His Father, and seated one again on His throne of Glory.  

He parades before us our former captors, those whom He has conquered.  He squelched the power of our captors; our sinfulness, the verdict of death, and our accuser, Satan himself. 

And as the conquering Hero, He bestows on us gifts!  First and foremost, the gift of His grace.  He gives us His flowing robe of righteousness and calls us His holy ones, His saints! 

I am a Saint!

But He does not stop there. He also pours out on us other glorious gifts.

When Jesus ascended, He told His disciples, “But you will receive power, when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  (Acts 1:8)

He has gifted each of us uniquely with the gift of His Holy Spirit, to tell of all He has done.  As His saints, we all have been set apart, entrusted with this beautiful, unique gift. Those who have gone before us, the Apostles and Prophets were given to enlighten us. Our Shepherds, Pastor-Teachers are blessing us by teaching and leading us. Through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on them, they are building us up to bear the work of God’s kingdom in this world. 

Now say, “I am equipped for service.” Do you believe it? He is providing ALL you need to flourish, grow, and live out your unique, valuable role in His divine plan. Those around you? Those who are different than you? They are a part of God’s plan too. Together we are being built up into the Body of Christ, each doing its part.

Thank you, Jesus, for being the Victor! Thank you for setting us free from our captors and granting us these amazing gifts! Thank you for calling me your holy saint – set apart for service to You. Thank you for continuing to feed me, grow me and providing all I need to fulfill all You have for me to do. Thank You for fitting us together as Your body, so we can work together under Your Lordship, to bring Your gift of love and salvation to many more.   

Prayer Practice

Pour out before God all your fears, anxieties, guilt, sin and shame. Tell Him what troubles you. Take time to be specific. When you feel like you’ve poured out your heart, sit in silence, asking God simply to fill you with His Spirit. When you are finished praying, read today’s Scripture again and listen as God shares His heart back with you.