Tuesday, February 21, 2012

GMG Week 5 Reflection {Ephesians 3:1-13}

I am a little behind on posting my reflection from last week's Good Morning Girls study on Ephesians 3:1-13 so I'll try to keep it short and sweet!

"For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles- if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory." (NASB)

Two big things stuck out to me while studying these verses.  Paul's confidence regarding his personal significance as part of God's plan, and Paul's reference to himself as being a steward of the grace God had given Him.

Paul is convinced that his life is important as part of God's plan.  He was made a minister by the "gift of God's grace." He understood the grace God gave to him, was not just for him, but for the purpose of accomplishing God's plans on earth. This perspective helped Paul to see how his life was a significant part of God's eternal purpose.

In the same way, God graciously allows me to be part of His eternal purpose.  He didn't just provide grace for me, but so that my life would have meaning and significance as I carry out His plans on earth. He has gifted me (and you) to do exactly what He needs accomplished. It is a privilege to have such a meaningful purpose for my life. I am a steward of God's grace.


The next time I am changing a poopy diaper, or cooking yet another meal for my family, or taking care of a friend's child, or grocery shopping, or walking the dogs, etc., I will be thinking about my responsibility as a steward of God's grace.  I will remember that what I am doing is not trivial, it is important.  God's plan for me is to be a stay-at-home-mommy and as such I am advancing His kingdom by showing grace and building into my child, my husband, my friends, and everyone else that God puts in my path.

I am so thankful for this Word that God has spoken into my life this past week.  It is easy for me to feel unimportant because I am "only" a stay-at-home-mom and I don't do anything spectacular.  But I do know that this is exactly where God wants me right now, and I trust that if this is where He wants me, then He has an important reason for putting me here.  I don't believe that God wastes the grace He gives us, so my job as a stay-at-home-mom in this season of my life is important and I want to steward God's grace well.

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