A Page in God's Story I

What is my life about?

Stanley Hauerwas: America is producing “a people who believe that they should have no story except the story that they choose when they had no story. That is what Americans mean by ‘freedom.’”

Ephesus: Who are we? Is there even a “we” or an “us”?

Ephesians 1:3–4 ESV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

Ephesians 1:5–6 ESV

he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

We are part of a story that began long before us.

Ephesians 1:7–8 ESV

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight

We are in the middle of an ongoing story.

Ephesians 1:9 ESV

making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ

The story blesses us, but it isn’t about us.

Ephesians 1:10 ESV

as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

The story continues beyond us and is bigger than us.

Ephesians 1:11–12 ESV

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

We are people with a story.