Word@Work Eph34 - Ephesians 3:14-15
Published: Wed, 11/12/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
IT'S GOOD TO BELONG
Ephesians 3:14-15 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. (NIV)
Despite our society's preoccupation with individual achievement, most people want to belong to a loving family. Those, whose family is like that, often underestimate their privilege; while others may despair of ever being embraced by that kind of relationship. Our emotional stability depends on secure relationships, and so humans seek them wherever they can. And so it is easy to throw ourselves into work, which for many provides a substitute family.
The best place to look for satisfying relationship, is to Father God. He invented 'family'. He is described as 'Father', not only because He is the ultimate life-giver, but because He has always been the head of the divine family of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When He created people in 'His image', He created people designed to relate in families, as the basis of society. The Jewish people understood that they were special to Him as subjects to a King, and children in a family. Although the Old Testament Jews were reluctant to call God, 'Father', Psalm 68:5 describes Him as 'as father of the fatherless'. It was Jesus who often spoke of His Father, and was clear that He is our Father too (cf John 20:17).
The wonderful thing about believing in Jesus, is that we also find we have a Father who loves us personally. We are included into a family and we have a place where we belong, by right. But then our human family also becomes an even more special place; maybe there are difficulties, but having a heavenly Father who invented 'family' we have somebody we can talk to about the situation. We should therefore be encouraged that we know the one person who can make a dysfunctional family, whole; and good family, brilliant. And many of our colleagues really need this kind of Father too: guess who is there to tell them!
Prayer: Father God. Thank You for including me in Your family so that I can talk to You about everything that matters to me and my friends. Because You understand what 'family' is all about, please help me to be a blessing to my family, and to pray specifically so that Your grace and power and glory may be seen there too. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
Despite our society's preoccupation with individual achievement, most people want to belong to a loving family. Those, whose family is like that, often underestimate their privilege; while others may despair of ever being embraced by that kind of relationship. Our emotional stability depends on secure relationships, and so humans seek them wherever they can. And so it is easy to throw ourselves into work, which for many provides a substitute family.
The best place to look for satisfying relationship, is to Father God. He invented 'family'. He is described as 'Father', not only because He is the ultimate life-giver, but because He has always been the head of the divine family of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When He created people in 'His image', He created people designed to relate in families, as the basis of society. The Jewish people understood that they were special to Him as subjects to a King, and children in a family. Although the Old Testament Jews were reluctant to call God, 'Father', Psalm 68:5 describes Him as 'as father of the fatherless'. It was Jesus who often spoke of His Father, and was clear that He is our Father too (cf John 20:17).
The wonderful thing about believing in Jesus, is that we also find we have a Father who loves us personally. We are included into a family and we have a place where we belong, by right. But then our human family also becomes an even more special place; maybe there are difficulties, but having a heavenly Father who invented 'family' we have somebody we can talk to about the situation. We should therefore be encouraged that we know the one person who can make a dysfunctional family, whole; and good family, brilliant. And many of our colleagues really need this kind of Father too: guess who is there to tell them!
Prayer: Father God. Thank You for including me in Your family so that I can talk to You about everything that matters to me and my friends. Because You understand what 'family' is all about, please help me to be a blessing to my family, and to pray specifically so that Your grace and power and glory may be seen there too. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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