Ephesians 1:1

"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus"

I used to try to set personal goals, ministry goals, academic goals, etc. so that I could see if I was making progress. I would write things down in my journal like "by the end of the year I will be in full-time music ministry", or "I will go to the gym at least three times a week..." Maybe this sounds a little like you as well. I resolved to do everything it took to be in ministry. I committed firmly to working out consistently. My will, however, is fickle. It is constantly wavering and changing. In fact, most of the time I don't even know what I want.

I find myself amazed at how often I've read the Bible, but how rarely I've actually studied it. Maybe you're like me and you've read things a thousand times, only to come across a verse and your reaction is "have I ever read this verse before?!" So, stare at the verse at the top of the blog and make note of what you see. See it yet?

...by the will of God

Paul realized and believed something essential to the Christian life. He realized that he was only who he was because of the will of God. But why does this matter? What real difference does it make? In fact, could he not have just left out that small phrase? Moreover, why is it important that we understand why Paul would include that phrase?

Acts 17:28 says that in Him (Christ) we live and move and have our being! Why was Paul an apostle, writing letters to the saints in Ephesus? Because of the firm, resolved, unwavering, unchanging will of the only God. Indeed, you and I also should recognize our place in the Sovereign will of a Holy God.

How sweet is the peace that is found in the will of a gracious God.