For many of us who came from the tropics, the winter season is not only an escape from the hot and humid weather we have been accustomed to, but a most welcome change which provides us with a variety of experiences. What with the peculiar chill and cold and clothes that go with it; likewise the events and activities which are fun-filled uniquely akin to wintertime.
Yet, wintertime also gives us that somber feeling–of being alone and isolated. The coldness creeps into our circumstances: from the summery life filled with bright colors we suddenly find dark clouds and foreboding feelings of sadness; the once warm and high-spirited feelings with people we used to laugh and share special kinship, turning to deadness and now lost. Of course, the downward spiral further brings us discouragement and stress–even to depression.
How do we get out of this spiral being controlled by our immediate circumstances? Paul tells us that the remedy is to lift our perspective and focus on the divine perspective so that our circumstances don’t get the worst of us and we keep in step with the Lord and fulfill His purpose for our lives. In the first half of chapter 3 (verses 1-13) of Ephesians the Apostle Paul gathers three points to keep a divine perspective and encourage the Ephesian believers—Gentiles that they were. As followers of the Lord Jesus, every one of us needs this divine perspective.
1. Having a divine perspective means trusting the sovereignty of God in our circumstances.
Ephesians 3.1 The Amplified Bible
For this reason [because I preached that you are thus built up together], I, Paul, [am] the prisoner of Jesus the Christ for the sake and on behalf of you Gentiles—
Since you have acknowledge your need for Christ and received Him as your Saviour and Lord, is He truly the Sovereign Lord that rules your life–for which you are a prisoner of? Or are there still pockets of rebellion and unyielded “rulers” you are still a prisoner of: smoking, drinking, gambling, pornography, gossip, haughty spirit, loose tongue, uncontrolled emotions, etc.
2. Having a divine perspective means to live with the big picture in view.
Ephesians 3.2-6 The Amplified Bible
Assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace (His unmerited favor) that was entrusted to me [to dispense to you] for your benefit, [And] that the mystery (secret) was made known to me and I was allowed to comprehend it by direct revelation, as I already briefly wrote you. When you read this you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. [This mystery] was never disclosed to human beings in past generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles (consecrated messengers) and prophets by the [Holy] Spirit. [It is this:] that the Gentiles are now to be fellow heirs [with the Jews], members of the same body and joint partakers [sharing] in the same divine promise in Christ through [their acceptance of] the glad tidings (the Gospel).
Do you recognise that God has a plan which He carries out through eternity and you and I are a vital part of it? As Paul is saying that He has become a special “manager” or “steward” of God’s plan of grace, so are we–in accordance with what we are endowed with, namely, the unique resources, callings, spiritual gifts, skills, talents, knowledge and opportunities God gives in accordance with His master plan to re-create a new people to Himself.
And He is fulfilling this through our lives–as the Church! This goes back to the Abrahamic covenant in Gen 12.3 where God promised Abraham, “all the people of the earth will be blessed through you.” Rejoice: through Christ, we are made one in Christ that we also have become the children of promise such that the people of the world will be (ought to be) blessed through us! Do you see this big picture? You’re in it.
In much the same way, when the stakes are down and we find ourselves at the very ebb of our situation: unemployment or downsizing has hit. finances gone, cupboard empty–kids are hungry, they need to go to school: fees are due and materials need to bought, bills are mounting: car payments and electricity, gas, water. Do you see the big picture that something bigger is going on; something happening that we are a part of?
3. Having a divine perspective means remembering that we are here for a reason and that reason is not about me!
Ephesians 3.7-11 The Amplified Bible
Of this [Gospel] I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s free grace (undeserved favor) which was bestowed on me by the exercise (the working in all its effectiveness) of His power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints (God’s consecrated people), this grace (favor, privilege) was granted and graciously entrusted: to proclaim to the Gentiles the unending (boundless, fathomless, incalculable, and exhaustless) riches of Christ [wealth which no human being could have searched out], Also to enlighten all men and make plain to them what is the plan [regarding the Gentiles and providing for the salvation of all men] of the mystery kept hidden through the ages and concealed until now in [the mind of] God Who created all things by Christ Jesus. [The purpose is] that through the church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere. This is in accordance with the terms of the eternal and timeless purpose which He has realized and carried into effect in [the person of] Christ Jesus our Lord,
We are not here in this world to achieve our personal fulfillment in life–not about our sense of satisfaction nor pursuit of our own happiness. Paradoxically, Jesus said it well that to have life, we need to lose it; to receive, we need to give. Which means that happiness, fulfillment, etc, can only come to me when I abandon the pursuit of those things totally and pursue the greatest, which is the glory of God!
Problems, failures and discouragements confront us. As much as we need to recognise their realities, we should not be consumed by these. Instead we need to focus on the much greater purpose to bring glory to God for our existence beyond simply overcoming these problems to obtain happiness.
Together as the Church, we don’t exist for ourselves. While we preach the Gospel and reach out to people, the supreme purpose is to glorify God by using us–“the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places” (verse 10 TLB).
To trust the sovereignty of God; to live with the big picture in view; and to recognise that life is not all about me takes a deep constancy in our relationship with Jesus. In Him we gain divine perspective to tame the circumstances of our life. And He invites us: to be with Him and be changed by His loving presence–not ruled by our circumstances but by Him.