DaySpring Daily Word of Inspiration: Ephesians 1:18 – I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,
Do you know when someone is calling your name? (Allow this to be a sensitive purposeful question and not meant to offend anyone with a hearing disability or handicap) Based on the inflection in which you hear that call, our responses are different. I’m sure you would agree if you hear a wailing call of your name, you’d react with a sense of urgency. If you heard an upbeat calling of your name, you’d look around with a smile on your face, or maybe you hear your name being called casually, you’d respond by looking after you finished doing what you were doing (especially if you felt it was more important). All of that to say, when we hear a call on us, there is a response. Whether it is with urgency, joyfulness, or in leisure, we all respond when we hear the call; and depending on the nature of the call, it gives us the level in which we respond. With this fundamental understanding in human daily dealings, what does this call look like in the spiritual realm? There are only two voices that will be making the call on you, let’s deal with the good voice.
Our passage today lets us in on a few characteristics of a spiritual call. First, with a spiritual call it is one that isn’t going to be audible. Let us be clear, there are no longer nor will there be any more audible voices you can expect to hear from the heavens for any direction, confirmation, or encouragement – this is all only and solely found in God’s word, but I digress. Secondly, it is a call that appeals to the heart. This is where we pick up for our devotional today. Apostle Paul’s prayer is for the people – all of God’s people (that means everyone He’s created – on this planet, even now!!!) to have their hearts open to the truth about what Jesus not only did on the cross for us, but also to understand the call to salvation and hope that is in Christ. Simply put he wants us to KNOW, deep in our core, that Jesus has made a call for us to come to him because there is life eternal when we answer the call and come. The prayer is for us to truly see God’s heart for his people and his desire to have us partake in the inheritance that he is reserved for his people; those who call on the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
There is a simple misunderstanding that we have to get correct if we’re ever going to be able to see God’s heart for us. Many people think that God only loves a certain group of people or religion. This is far from the truth! When Jesus died on the cross, he didn’t just die for Jews or Gentiles. He didn’t just die for Samaritans or worshippers of Baal. Jesus died for all and paid the price for MANKIND’S SIN! That includes us all! So guess what, the call to repentance and a changed lifestyle that is reflective of gratitude, thanksgiving, and obedience to God’s word is a CALL to everyone!!!! Sadly, many don’t accept the call and wait for what they think is the call from other doctrines, when Christ being preached should be the only doctrine we should listen to; for Christ is the only one who actually has a solution for the sin of the world. Do you see that today?
God’s call on our hearts is the understanding and knowledge of the freedom there is in Christ Jesus and the promise of heaven for those who endure to the end. Once our hearts are open to this truth, we are able to fully know and experience peace in this life and the hope that we have through Jesus. God’s call on us is for real prosperity; life with him in heaven, not anything tangible, physical, or material. Have you answered the call of Christ Jesus today?
Today, God is calling us to a hope that we don’t deserve. Being richly rooted in his word and living it out practically on a daily basis helps us answer the call with gladness of heart and with a hope and praise for our future. Open the eyes of your heart to God’s call on you and let your soul be empowered to hold onto that hope for eternity. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!