This past summer brought immense joy to my heart as a mother. My son, Mark, embarked on a beautiful new chapter, marrying a wonderful, God-fearing young woman. Our entire family played a part in their wedding celebration. My husband officiated, Mark’s twin brother stood by his side as best man, and our other two sons served as groomsmen. As for me, I watched with overflowing emotion and pride, culminating in a cherished mother-son dance.
When Mark asked about my chosen song for our dance, my response was immediate: “I Hope You Dance,” by Lee Ann Womack. Among my four sons, Mark and I share the closest personalities – both adventurous and thoughtful, capable yet mindful. As we moved to the music, I expressed my love and my deepest wish for him: to live life to the fullest, embracing the freedom of being a child of God. The song’s lyrics resonated deeply with my sentiments: “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 most profound desire is for Mark to experience the liberation of living as God intended – loved, forgiven, chosen, redeemed, blessed, and sanctified.
These hopes and dreams I hold for my children are universal to parenthood. If we, as imperfect humans, harbor such profound longings for our offspring, imagine the depth of desire our perfect, holy Heavenly Father holds for us.
Take a moment to thoughtfully read Ephesians 1:3-14, noting the powerful words God uses to describe YOU, His beloved child. Which words resonate most with you? Do you truly grasp God’s boundless love, His immeasurable grace, and the profound truth that He specifically chose YOU? Do your actions reflect this understanding?
Verses 11 and 12 of Ephesians 1 in The Message paraphrase offer this insight: “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 within these twelve verses. Living freely as God’s chosen people, designed for this very purpose, is our inherent right in Christ. What an astonishing truth to embrace!
This week, I encourage you to select a single word from Ephesians 1:3-14 to meditate upon. Ask God to deepen your belief in its truth and to empower you to live in accordance with it. He hopes you dance – embrace the fullness of life He offers.
Lynette Fuson
Director of Women’s Ministries
