Listen

This is why I kneel before the Father.

I ask that he will strengthen you in your inner selves from the riches of his glory through the Spirit. I ask that Christ will live in your hearts through faith. As a result of having strong roots in love, I ask that you’ll have the power to grasp love’s width and length, height and depth, together with all believers. I ask that you’ll know the love of Christ that is beyond knowledge so that you will be filled entirely with the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:14, 16-19

Think

As I was growing up, my Uncle Lamar told the best stories. His stories were funny, filled with awesome details, and many times included me and my family. Sometimes, Uncle Lamar told stories that made me wonder if all of the details were true, however.

Paul’s confession to the church at Ephesus in our scripture today could be hard to wrap our heads around, maybe even to fully believe. It’s hard to understand a GIGANTIC love that surpasses all knowledge. In fact, we’re surrounded by stories of division and strife, war and toil, famine and scarcity.

May we believe this prayer of Paul. May we find strength through the Spirit. May Christ dwell in our hearts through faith. And may our communities of faith fully grasp how long and high and deep Christ’s love is for each of us and for ALL the world.

John Uldrick

Pray

Risen Christ, help me fully believe how deep your love is for me. Sometimes it is hard to understand. Expand my ability to comprehend your love for me and others today. Amen.

Go

Father, write yourself upon my heart and life – that I may be an open book about you, so that others might read of your unending love on every page. In the name of Jesus, the author of our faith. Amen

Jim Branch in The Blue Book (2016)