This past summer brought immense joy to my life as a mother. My son, Mark, married a wonderful, God-loving young woman. It was a family affair, with my husband officiating, Mark’s twin as best man, and our other sons as groomsmen. For me, it was a moment of tears and pride, culminating in the cherished mother-son dance. When Mark asked about song choice, my answer was instant: “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack.
Mark and I share similar personalities – adventurous yet thoughtful, capable, and composed. As we moved to the music, I expressed my love and my deep wish for him to live freely as a child of God. The song’s words resonated profoundly: “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 deepest desire is for Mark to experience the liberating truth of being loved, forgiven, chosen, redeemed, blessed, and holy in God’s eyes.
My hopes and dreams for my children mirror those of many parents. If we, as imperfect humans, hold such aspirations for our kids, imagine the depth of desire our perfect, holy Heavenly Father has for us.
Take a moment to thoughtfully read Ephesians 1:3-14, noticing the powerful words God uses to describe YOU, His beloved child. Which words stand out? Do you truly grasp God’s profound love, His boundless grace, and the reality that He specifically chose YOU? Do you live in accordance with this truth?
Verses 11 and 12 in The Message paraphrase this 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 phrase “in Christ” or “in Him” appears eight times within these twelve verses. We are designed to live freely in Christ as God’s chosen people, an incredible truth to embrace!
This week, select a word from Ephesians 1:3-14 that speaks to you. Ask God to deepen your belief in this truth and to guide you in living it out. He hopes you dance – in the fullness of the life He intended for you.
Lynette Fuson
Director of Women’s Ministries
