Dream, Grow, Fly

Moreover, because of what Christ has done we have become gifts to God that he delights in, for as part of God's sovereign plan we were chosen from the beginning to be his, and all things happen just as he decided long ago. God's purpose in this was that we should praise God and give glory to him for doing these mighty things for us, who were the first to trust Christ.

And because of what Christ did, all you others too, who heard the Good News about how to be saved, and trusted Christ, were marked as belonging to Christ by the Holy Spirit, who long ago had been promised to all of us Christians. His presence within us is God's guarantee that he really will give us all that he promised; and the spirit's seal upon us means that God has already purchased us and that he guarantees to bring us to himself. This is just one more reason for us to praise our glorious God. Ephesians 1:11-14 (TLB)

R.J. Scherba lives in Florida. One morning as R.J. and her husband enjoyed breakfast outside, a juvenile egret wandered from the pond until he was nearly within their reach. Totally oblivious to us, he looked upward to the trees and rooftops. Craning his long neck this way and that, he yearned to take flight but couldn't because he was too young.

Every day, their determined young egret kept flapping frantically for the rooftops. They marveled at his perseverance and his single-minded focus. Then one glorious day they spotted him high in a palm tree, preening his feathers and squawking gleefully. God put the dream of flight in this young bird, who instinctively knew what he was created to do.

Ephesians 1:11 says, "We were destined by the plan of God, who accomplishes everything according to his design." God powerfully confirmed the words from Ephesians to R.J. through that young egret, renewing her faith that big dreams in her heart do indeed come from God: dreams to live boldly and joyfully, even when it feels uncomfortable; dreams to keep trying and keep growing, even when it's exhausting; dreams to fulfill God's grand calling, even when it seems impossible.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for renewing our faith in your purpose for our lives, in Jesus' name. Amen.