GRACE NOTES // EPHESIANS WEEK 5
Written By: Keli Miller
There’s More To The Story
Something new had been revealed to Paul. Bit by bit God has been telling us his Gospel story, subtly unveiling the great truth piece by piece. Paul has just uncovered a massive piece to this story. I find Paul’s language so interesting here, while he’s explaining what God has revealed to him he is still referring to this news as a mystery. Even though he has been given revelation that the Gentiles have been invited into salvation he still refers to God's ways and plans as a mystery.
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are
heirs together with Israel, members together of one body,
and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 3:6)
This is a reminder of the tension that we live in- the here and now but also the not yet. God is presently revealing things to and through us but also there is much he has, still hidden from view. I’m a big picture kind of girl, so this can be frustrating. I want to know where things are going and how they are going to unfold. I desire insight into details and decisions that only God knows. I think this is why I make so many plans because it allows me to feel like I have some control over what God is doing in my life. When I read about the hiddenness and mystery of God I get frustrated because it feels as if God is withholding from me.
The fact of the matter is that if I knew every detail and plan I would try to manipulate and control every aspect to ensure it went exactly as planned. I would quench the Spirit. It’s through the mystery that I rely on God. It’s this trust that leads me to more freedom. I trust God when he says he has good plans for me and I trust him to reveal that to me in its time. There is so much more that we can not see.
In Ephesians 3, Paul talks about the manifold wisdom of God. The word for manifold here is “polypoikilos”, which describes something with many layers, much varied and marked with multiple colors. The same word could be used to describe a prism. As Chris explained on Sunday, when light shines on a prism it reveals colors that were already existing we just couldn’t see. I love this imagery and it helps me reframe how I define hiddenness.
When God hides something from us, it is not an act of withholding love or blessing. Hiddenness does not equal withholding. Rather God has long ago set aside treasures and insight that will be revealed to you at just the right time. God has hidden treasures that have been kept and stored for you for every season. Hidenness is not something being withheld but rather set aside.
How abundant are the good things
that you have stored up for those who fear you,
that you bestow in the sight of all,
on those who take refuge in you.
-Psalm 31:19
God’s plans never changed, as we read in Genesis that God had always planned to redeem and include the Gentiles. But it wasn’t until the death and resurrection and then the writings of Paul that this mystery was fully unveiled to us. You may not know God’s plans- but he knows them and they are good. Today, find freedom in trusting his words and timing.
”[There are] clusters of grapes in the wilderness and drops of wine.”
-Valley of the Vision
IN THE WORD
Ephesians 3:1-12
Jeremiah 29:11
Genesis 12:2-3
PROCESSING
This week in your time with the Lord reflect on the following:
What plans have you been “white knuckling”? What does surrender look like?
What was once hidden that God has been revealing to you in this season?
What feels hidden that you’d like to be revealed?