For This Reason 14

[HKHaugan]

There’s a woodpecker outside my window pecking away at a tree. I’m assuming he’s feeding on mites or whatever his instinct drive is. But in both the tree and the bird, there is more. We are in a surrounding forest. Impending rain clouds overhead will send nourishment for it all while the larger universe in its infinite minute detail works in concert with its seemingly endless space with planet upon planet and star upon star. There is a harmony that is not only obvious in its physical reality but also in its invisible qualities as it reflects beauty, harmony and a sense of purpose in the way it is all put together as an environment. The reality is both seen and unseen.

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

Thus as Paul has given us a declaration of God’s overwhelming activity in the exaltation of Jesus and the benefits that lift us up from the world’s draining darkness, the end of Chapter 3 is a call to prayer. Rightfully so. Paul’s Spirit filled eloquence shows what he wants for all believers, the very fullness of God. His heart’s desire is for them to experience that fullness in their uniqueness not only individually but as spiritual brothers and sisters sharing Jesus with the world in which they live. He knows from his own experience that the Holy Spirit has given Him a new mind, a new heart and a new spirit. Not only has he been born spiritually but he no longer looks to the past. He looks to the future, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Colossians 3:13-14).” They belong to a larger Body with a purpose, to reconcile to God the world they live in every day which is the call to all of us where we are.

Ephesians 3:14 is the spiritually natural sequence calling us to prayer. As it says, “For this reason I kneel before the Father…,” Paul is recognizing not only the Holy God he is serving but also the expansive spiritual dimension that lies before him and all human beings. It is an endless eternal Presence in an eternal present where time ceases and the Kingdom is realized, real-‘eyes’-ed, as in seen. We hearken back to Paul’s words in 2Cor.12 where he describes having been caught up in the third heaven, paradise, “…hearing inexpressible things that man is not permitted to tell.”

It’s time to pray because the rest of Paul’s letter is going to demand a spiritual life of practical everyday witness that is beyond human accomplishment. As spiritual beings we are totally dependent on the Holy Spirit. We have to remember that first. That’s what the first three chapters tell us. So unless there is the willingness to let the “eyes of your heart (1:18)” be open to the leading of the Spirit we will be stuck where we are. Only the Spirit can move the spirit. This is why prayer is the front door through which we walk to let the Holy Spirit bring the Lord’s mind to renew our minds, His heart to move ours and motivate our faith to action. “Here I am, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me (Rev.3:20).” That’s how He conforms us to Jesus. Knowing that, we step out confidently in every next moment and seize it as an opportunity to be witnesses in both expected and unexpected ways. By seizing, I mean spiritually humbling ourselves before God in the presence of others because He is the One who will act through us in those next moments and He is the One we want to get the credit, the glory, the praise of His glory. With the leading of the Holy Spirit we “set our minds on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God (Col.3:1),” which means simply this---Let the Lord direct the traffic.

In Chapter 4 Paul takes an abrupt dive from the ethereal heights of Heaven to bring the good news of Jesus into the ghetto of sin and evil. Note the pattern here. Paul has taken us to be transfigured, lifted up and given an eternal position in Jesus in chapters 1-3. But now in chapter 4, just like Jesus after His Transfiguration who went into the valley of mission and ministry, that’s our calling. Our calling is to carry the truth about Jesus into the valleys of the world. With this new identity in Jesus we go in confidence that He who began a good work in us will continue it in the world around us.

What are those valleys?

The valleys may just be right at home where there are relational difficulties, parent-child, husband-wife, relatives. Then there are the valleys of community living, neighbors, town areas and political conflict. Of course the valley of health and emotional issues seems ever present. Then there are our occupations, colleagues and bosses, economy economic ups and downs. We can’t overlook our own fickle nature that may fluctuate emotionally from insecurity to confidence at any given time. The point is when our focus is on Jesus He will take us through whatever valley we face if we are willing to let Him ride with us. This is the work and support of the Holy Spirit.

Having looked at the daily valleys, Paul doesn’t turn us loose to figure out how to be disciples on our own. Every day the Holy Spirit guides us from fear and pride to faith and humility which powerfully equip us to let the Lord come through us in every next moment. But being at one with Almighty God and His Son Jesus is not done alone. It is being brought into a support system of love and gifts to grow internally and as a disciple externally, in the Body of Christ, the Church. Holy Scripture is the mind of God for our mind, the family worshipping and learning together in small groups and building a personal prayer and study life. Being a maturing disciple in the world is what draws people to the Lord. Matthew 28:18 is the call not only to be a disciple but to make disciples who can make disciples. These are the fundamentals of faith.

Paul shows and simplifies the difference between the multi-gods world of Rome and belief in a One God, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all (Eph.4:4-6).” From this unity comes a foundation in Jesus that involves how we grow as disciples to accomplish God’s will, spiritual gifts. That’s next. Before we go there let’s return to my little woodpecker outside and consider where that little vision takes us when we sing about it.

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

And when I think of God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!