This past summer brought me immense joy as a mother. My son, Mark, married a wonderful, God-loving young woman. Our whole family played a part in the wedding: my husband officiated, Mark’s twin brother was the best man, and my other sons were groomsmen. As for me, I watched with happy tears and pride, and then cherished the mother-son dance. When Mark asked about my chosen song, my answer was instant: “I Hope You Dance,” by Lee Ann Womack.
Out of my four sons, Mark and I share the most similarities – adventurous yet thoughtful, capable, and composed. As we danced, I whispered my love and my deepest wish for him: to live freely as God intended. Lee Ann Womack’s poignant lyrics resonated deeply in that moment: “I hope you never lose your sense of wonder… never fear those mountains in the distance… when you get the chance to sit it out or dance… dance.” As his mother, my greatest desire for Mark is that he embraces the liberation of living as God’s beloved child – cherished, forgiven, chosen, redeemed, blessed, and holy.
My hopes and dreams for my children are universal to parenthood. If we, as imperfect humans, hold such profound wishes for our kids, imagine the depth of longing our perfect, holy Heavenly Father has for us.
Take a moment to reflect on Ephesians 1:3-14. Slowly read these verses, noting the powerful words God uses to describe YOU, His precious child. Which words stand out? Can you feel God’s boundless love, His incredible grace, and the truth that He specifically chose YOU? Are you living in this reality?
The Message translation of verses 11 and 12 puts it beautifully: “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.”
The powerful phrase “in Christ” or “in him” appears eight times in these twelve verses. We are designed to live freely in Christ as God’s chosen – this is our intended way of life! What an astounding truth to embrace!
This week, choose one word from Ephesians 1:3-14 that speaks to you. Ask God to deepen your understanding and belief in this truth, and then to guide you in living it out. He hopes you dance – in the fullness of His grace and love, just like Lee Ann Womack encourages us to do in her timeless song.
Lynette Fuson
Director of Women’s Ministries
