*This week, we will focus on the book of Ephesians. The readings through August 31 walk through this classic letter of the Apostle Paul. I encourage you to read the book along with these devotionals, one chapter a day, mindful, of course, that there is no devotional on Saturday, August 31. But by then, you’ll be an expert on Ephesians! If you missed a day, all Think, Pray, Do, devotionals are archived at https://tedgoshorn.org/think-pray-do/. 

Today’s Reading: Ephesians 3

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
Ephesians 3:8

Paul considers himself to be one who was far away. 

Consider yesterday’s devotional on those near and far. Paul recognizes that, even though he is Jewish, he was one who was far away. He persecuted Christians, he actively worked against the nascent church. He tried to keep people from being near to God, being far removed himself. 

I can relate, and I wonder if you can, too. For a time, I was agnostic. I walked away from faith, purposefully putting distance in my relationship with God. Even if you have been in a church all your life, it’s easy to think of times of distance in our relationship with God as problematic, troublesome, or somehow wrong. 

Yet, Paul doesn’t say that here, nor do I think of my time of being far away as wrong or a problem. The ministry of Paul comes directly out of his experience persecuting the church. He understands the church better, and is more passionate for the gospel, than he would have been without that history. God used that history to empower perhaps the greatest evangelist Christianity has ever known. 

For me, that time of agnosticism fuels my ministry. God uses that history to empower the calling on my life. That’s what God does: takes what we might call the “very least” of our lives, and turns it to a powerful good to empower our ministry for the sake of the gospel.

Think
When have you known distance in your relationship with God? How has God made use of that?

Pray
Pray for God to continue to empower your ministry through those seasons of distance.

Do
Consider the history of your relationship with God and write it down. When have you felt near and far? How have those experiences shaped you and the call on your life?

Think, Pray, Do. As we respond in faith to scripture, God moves in power through our minds, hearts, and bodies. We are the people of God. Thanks for reading today. Go in peace. Amen.

Think, Pray, Do devotionals by Ted Goshorn follow the suggested bible reading plan from his website and book, Prayer Changes Us. Find this Bible reading plan at tedgoshorn.org/biblereading. If you have found today’s devotion helpful, don’t forget to subscribe for daily emails at tedgoshorn.org and share with others that we may think, pray, and do faithfully.