I’ve been studying and meditating in Ephesians lately, and today felt lead to read chapter 2 in another translation than my default NIV. So I opened my copy of the Message and its wording of verse two just seemed to jump out at me.
Ephesians 2:2 (The Message)
“You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience.”
This sounds just a bit too much like how I’ve often lived my life. How many times have I listened to advice from a bad source, wallowed in my unbelief in God’s ability or desire to work in my life and acted in disobedience? How many times have I just gone with the flow because it is what everyone does?
I like to think that these days I try to look for more Godly and wise sources of advice and pause to question my unbelief. Honesty says that consistency in acting this way is not where should be, so this seems a call for me to stop and look hard for things where I’m letting the world guide me, and remind myself to believe God, not just in Him, but believe what He says when He says He has the plan for my life and has it under control.
Control seems to be a buzz word for me recently. Lately, it seems I’ve been so busy that all I do is talk at (maybe not even to) God, but seldom take the time to stop and listen to Him and really have a conversation with Him. Why do I always fall away from what works and go back to worldly ways I know don’t work? By finally taking some time to slow down and listen today, He’s even reminding me that’s exactly what He wants me to do. I want to follow His advice and plan, then I need to do a better job at listening to Him. In Him, I always find sustenance and peace, the things I need most when it gets busy.
I suspect this verse might hit a nerve with many of us, but maybe it’s a different nerve for you. Is there anything you need to take a closer look at today?
Choose Joy!
