But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Eph. 2:4-7
Dear heavenly Father, this passage from Paul reminds me of the day I first laid my eyes on the Swiss Alps. It was a glory-overload—just too much to take in, all at once; and that why I go back to Switzerland every chance I get. However, the gospel is the true and eternal glory-overload, and I will keep coming back to the gospel every day.
But what really arrests my attention in this text is your commitment to demonstrate your kindness to us in Jesus throughout eternity. It was your kindness that first led us to repentance; and it is your kindness that greets us every day, in every situation and circumstance. You’ll never be harsh, aggravated, or annoyed with us. That absolutely fries the circuit board of my imagination, throws fuel on the fire of my longings, and reveals the paucity of my faith.
Father, the revelation of your kindness touches something very deep inside of me in this season of life. Maybe it’s because of how little kindness I see in the world today. Maybe it’s because of how much I long to be a genuinely kind man. Maybe it’s because it contradicts so many wrong images I’ve had of you so much of my life. By the power of the gospel, continue to rid my heart of all the false notions I’ve entertained about you.
There is no other God who would raise up dead sinners for an eternity of lavishing on them more and more of his kindness. I’m left speechless, breathless, and ever so grateful. May your kindness towards me be released as your kindness through me all this day long. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ glory-filled and grace-full name.
