"Blessing ..."

When we consider the good things we want in life, maybe the first things we think of are material possessions.  We want enough, and enough becomes more the more we have.  Next up, we probably think of experiences and opportunities.  Travel.  Leisure.  Hobbies. Sport.  Theatre. 

But all of us have had moments of realisation that things and activities are never enough.  That is why we are looking for the “more than”.  So our letter promises us that God will bless us “in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing”.  Ah, now we are dealing with something different. 

It suggests that the “more than” that we long for is available.  However, we might wonder what this means; it sounds exciting and different, but also a bit obscure.  The next few sentences give us some clues as to what “spiritual blessing” might look like. 

First, we are told what God’s intention has been for us from before the beginning: That we should be “holy and blameless in his sight”.  Holy is a word rich with meaning!  It has to do with being set apart from the ordinary – extraordinary – out of the ordinary – for God.  Each one of us is meant to be sacred.  The next phrase follows on naturally because holy things don’t just belong to God, they point to God. 

That means in some respect showing what he is like and that can’t happen if we are involved in actions which are against God’s intentions.  To be blameless in God’s sight is quite intense, and clearly covers every nook and cranny of life – inner life as well.  This is astounding and deeply inviting.  Until I look back at the reality of my life.  If that is God’s intention, if we are meant to live that level of perfection, clearly something is wrong. 

Where is “every spiritual blessing”?  My life certainly falls short.  I expect yours does too.

Well, fortunately this is not the end of the sentence … but that will have to wait for next time.

The Bible: Ephesians 1:4
http://www.biblica.com/en-us/bible/online-bible/?translation=niv&book=ephesians&chapter=1