The Upper Room devotional reflection for Thursday, October 20, 2022, comes to us from Nancy Dombek of Ohio.
8 Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10 so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. 13 I pray therefore that you may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory. 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine,
Ephesians 3:8-20NRSV
WHERE I’M MEANT TO BE
When we married, my husband and I had four cats that were allowed to move freely inside and outside of the house. After we moved, we had to keep them in our barn for a month while they acclimated to the new home. Cats have a strong instinct to return to familiar surroundings. Each time I opened the barn door, I had to shut it quickly to block our cats’ escape. But one day our cat Muffin got out before I could block her. As I ran after her, she hid under some bushes and meowed in protest. I said, “Muffin, I know you don’t understand, but right now the barn is where you need to be.”
When I later changed jobs, leaving a position I loved, I complained to God. At my most desperate moment, I recalled the words I had spoken to Muffin and felt God telling me that I was where I needed to be. So often we can’t see God’s purpose for us. We complain, bargain, and try to escape our situation. But God’s goals are not our goals. It may be difficult, but if we believe God is with us, we can trust the One “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.”
Friends,
Can you remember the last major change you had to make? Did you joyfully move forward, or where you reluctant to relinquish the familiar for the unknown? Change is difficult. Learning a new skill set, getting to know new people, and moving from a place of comfort to discomfort fills us with anxiousness. Yet, nature reminds us that change is a part of life. The seedling grows into a fruit tree, the tulips wilt and make room for new flowers, and the seasons change. As we find ourselves fully enveloped by the changing colors of Fall, I invite you to embrace the changes God is leading you to make.
--Pastor Anthony
Prayer:
Dear God, help us to trust that you know where we need to be. Grant us patience with your timing. Amen.
-- Nancy Dombek
Prayer Focus:
Someone moving to a new home
Thought for the day:
I can trust that God is with me no matter where I am.