English: Jesus Christ – detail from Deesis mosaic, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Devotional?Discussion Thought of the day:

 ¹⁰  We are God’s work of art, created in Christ Jesus for the good works which God has already designated to make up our way of life. Ephesians 2:10 (NJB)

I don’t like to speak of someone being singled out to be part of a privileged elect. But it is Christ who speaks, who chooses. It is the language of holy Scripture: “He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy,” Saint Paul tells us.3 I know that such thoughts don’t fill you with pride nor lead you to think yourself better than other men. That choice, the root of our vocation, should be the basis of our humility. Do we build monuments to an artist’s paintbrush? Granted the brush had a part in creating masterpieces, but we give credit only to the painter. We Christians are nothing more than instruments in the hands of the creator of the world, of the redeemer of all men.  (1)

Among the mysteries of God that easily overwhelm me, is the idea that God uses us….especially that he uses me….

But this idea of someone else, even Someone else, using me – at times rubs raw against the way I have been raised.  Don’t I have a choice in the matter?  Can’t I choose when and where and … how much?

Especially the how much!

It seems like God wants an aweful lot from us at times!  First all the behaving appropriate, following the rules, do this, don’t do that, and even though I know the rules are there to protect my peace, my sanity, my eternity – there is a part of me that just…needs to rebel.  Claim some of my own time, take a spiritual day off, get some freedom…..maybe even adopt a pet (sin) or two.  I mean, does God really expect us to be available for others, serve others, love others, and forgive others, all the time?

The answer is – yeah – pretty much.

After all, He didn’t just create us, He designed and created and breathed life into us.  He created us and then cleans us up – renews us – breathes life into beings that really, only knew death.  In doing so, He makes of us even a more glorious masterpiece – but the glory is all His.  For in us – we find a masterpiece that is an incredible paradox.  Spirit and flesh, sinner and saint, creature yet friends, partners with creation, dead to sin, yet alive in Christ, part of the Body of Christ, yet also His Bride.  Living in mortal bodies, yet blessed with immortality… people who walk with God.

For we are created… to be His children.

That is His goal, that has always been His goal…. and He is the only one that can assure it.

And even as He uses us, even if that means like Paul we are to be poured out like a drink offering… we come to rejoice even in that…. and we find ourselves…grateful… joyful, that God would use us…. for that proves we are His chosen people.

AMEN!

(1)  Escriva, Josemaria (2010-11-02). Christ is Passing By (Kindle Locations 379-385). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.

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