Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3
What an amazing statement Paul makes in Ephesians. If you read it too fast you might miss the "every spiritual blessing" part. Take a moment to really think about that statement. God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing.
He goes on to tell us that we have received this blessing before the beginning of time. "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. "
Dumplin'
What would this amazing blessing look like in our lives if we really believed it? Perhaps we would be bolder. Maybe we would love more fiercely without worrying about what the world thinks. I watched the film, Dumplin' over the holidays. It's a story about an overweight teenage girl whose mother runs the town's beauty pageant. She has grown up to believe that because she is fat, she isn't worthy of the good things the rest of her friends get to have. Over the course of the film, she gets to discover that she is more than a number on the scale. She gets to discover that love and friendship are based on more than physical beauty. She also learns that beauty is more than looking good in a swimsuit.
The movie is based on the book of the same name written by Julie Murphy. I bought it immediately after seeing the film and enjoyed reading it just as much. Both the film and book are clearly secular pieces about very real people and situations. But the theme of love and acceptance and belief are just as important to the Christian world.
In the film, Dumplin' the main character can't accept a relationship with a cute boy who likes her, because she feels he is too attractive for her. He tells her she is beautiful to him and doesn't care what other people might think.
Every Spiritual Blessing
I couldn't help but see a parallel with how God sees us and how we reject Him because we don't believe we deserve it. He adores us. He loves us. We are beautiful to Him. He has lavished us with every spiritual blessing. We only have to decide to take it. But we struggle in our belief that we could actually be chosen by God to be loved and cared for. We think we need to work harder, or be holier, or change who we are for Him to love us. But He already does. He already died for all our failings. All He wants is a relationship with us and He will take care of the rest.
He has given us every spiritual blessing. Everything we need to succeed. I think that what holds any of us back is believing we can have the cute boy, or the great job, or fulfilling life. We are afraid that it's too late, we aren't pretty, thin, young, smart, blonde enough. And yet, there are thousands, maybe millions of people who live their lives well and successfully, despite their imperfections. Joni Eareckson Tada, has a world wide ministry despite being paralyzed. Nick Vujicic has no arms or legs and has done more than most people will ever do. Oprah was abused as a child and struggled with her weight her whole life. The list goes on. Were they more special than the average person? I don't think so. I think they had tremendous belief in what they could achieve and so they did.
It's a new year.
Why not start it out believing we have been given every spiritual blessing? Why not start by believing that we have been chosen by a loving God for His purposes. Take some time to imagine how you would act if you truly believed that you are here for a reason and have been given the ability to achieve your dreams. In the movie a character tells Dumplin' to "figure out who you are and then do that on purpose." Who you are is a child of God -- chosen, loved and equipped by Him. Now, today, is our opportunity to go out and be that person on purpose!
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