Living Ephesians 2:10

“For we are His workmanship, created in

Christ Jesus for good works which

God prepared beforehand that we

should walk in them”

Ephesians 2:10 was the first Rhema Word God gave me. (A Rhema Word is God’s Word that jumps off the page and is seemingly just for you.) At the time, I was reading the 1984 edition of the New International Version (NIV) Bible which read: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.” It was early stages of Bible reading, closing my eyes, turning my Bible over and around in my hands, then letting it fall open to a random page and reading the first thing my eyes landed upon.

It was also in the early stages of discerning the Holy Spirit’s voice; I was ignorant of Bible commentaries, Google - as we know it, was not yet available, and so, I interpreted God’s Word using my own limited knowledge. In addition, I was also reading it with a what’s-in-it-for-me? kind of mentality. I got very excited when I read this verse, it resonating deeply, because the mental pictures accompanying this Word showed me snippets of future speaking and teaching.

I’ve always been comfortable – and quite love, if I’m honest – being centre stage. With this picture in mind, I associated the “good works prepared in advance for me to do” as a one-time event. Lights! Camera! Action!

I also assumed this was going to happen right quick because I was ready!

The LORD disagreed. I was far from ready.

It has now been more than two full decades since I first read those words and over the years, I have garnered some truths about this verse. I have learned that God has gifted us and equipped us to serve others in particular ways that bring joy and fulfillment to us while glorifying Him.  Second-century bishop Ireneus, said, “The glory of God is a human fully alive.” When we are operating in our giftings, using the talents and abilities God has given us, we live from the inside out. We shine – whether we know it or not – and life is anything but a drudge as we walk in the good works prepared specifically for us by our Heavenly Father through Christ Jesus.