Over recent weeks learning from Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” has lead us to true beauty. Recall, for example, the “Beautiful Faith” expressed in the Beatitudes; trusting that the Kingdom of Heaven brings blessing and beauty even to the worst situations. Or the “Beautiful Heart” – so immersed in God’s love that even enemies are prayed for and loved!
Our Lenten Series is: “Rooted: Growing Deeper. Growing Together. Growing Up.”[1] We aim to deepen our relationship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit as we learn from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. (We start our Lenten journey this week with the Ash Wednesday service at 18:30.)
Unsurprisingly, Christian growth results in beauty. We are intended to be God’s “workmanship” [Greek: “poiema”] (Eph. 2:10). We are God’s poem, God’s masterpiece.
Is that your desire – for your life to be God’s poem? Do you want to be deeply rooted, no longer tossed back and forth by the deceit of society (4:14), but anchored in God’s boundless love (3:14)? Do you want our church to be united, mature and measuring up to Christ’s fullness as we exercise our gifts (4:1ff)? Then pilgrim with us through Lent so that together we may “lead a life worthy of the calling to which we have been called” (4:1). Friends, it is time to “grow up healthy in God, robust in love” (Eph. 4:16, The Message).
God Bless,
Sean
[1] Subtitle: Uncovering the Mystery of Christian Maturity